Southmead

infobox UK place

country = England
official_name= Southmead
latitude= 51.5005
longitude= -2.6001
map_type= nomap
static_

static_image_caption= Boundaries of the city council ward.
civil_parish=
population = 11,005 [cite web | title=Southmead | work=2001 Census Ward Information Sheet | url=http://www.bristol.gov.uk/WardFinder/pdfs/southmead-wis.pdf | accessdate=2007-02-21]
unitary_england= Bristol
lieutenancy_england=Bristol
region= South West England

constituency_westminster= Bristol North West
post_town= BRISTOL
postcode_district = BS10
postcode_area= BS10
dial_code= 0117
os_grid_reference= ST584781

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".

In recent years, efforts have been made to improve the area's social problems and implement environmental improvements, many of which have been successful.

References