Southmead
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Southmead | |
|
  |
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| Population | 11,005[1] |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | |
| Unitary authority | Bristol |
| Ceremonial county | Bristol |
| Region | South West |
| Constituent country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | BRISTOL |
| Postcode district | BS |
| Dial code | 0117 |
| Police | Avon and Somerset |
| Fire | Avon |
| Ambulance | Great Western |
| UK Parliament | Bristol North West |
| European Parliament | South West England |
| List of places: UK • England | |
Southmead is a northern suburb of Bristol, in the southwest of England. The town of Filton (in South Gloucestershire), and the Bristol suburb of Horfield lie on its boundaries.
The area gives its name to the NHS-run Southmead Hospital, formerly the Barton Regis Workhouse, although this is actually situated in the neighbouring district of Westbury on Trym. Central Southmead features shops surrounded by grassy areas and wide roads.
The construction of Southmead started in 1931, when the Bristol Corporation built 1,500 houses there, partly to house families cleared from the slums of central Bristol, and partly to address the housing shortage at the time. A further 1,100 houses were built after World War II. Since then, reference has often been made to the "pre-war estate" of Southmead and the "post-war estate". The "post-war" development is in better condition and has fewer social and crime problems.
In recent years, efforts have been made to improve the area's social problems and implement environmental improvements, many of which have been successful.
