Stevenage

Stevenage is a town and borough in Hertfordshire, England, 29 miles (44 km) north of London. Stevenage is east of junctions 7 and 8 of the A1(M), between Letchworth Garden City to the north and Welwyn Garden City to the south. Stevenage lies near the historical Roman road from Verulamium to Baldock. Evidence of Roman settlement in the area can be seen at ``Six Hills`` - six Roman tumuli presumed to be the burial place of a Roman family. After the second world war Stevenage was the first designated new town. New towns were towns that were redeveloped to accomodate people displaced from London during the Blitz. Stevenage locals opposed the plans to make their town a so called ``new town`` but the redevelopment went ahead anyway.The pedestrianised town centre, opened in 1959, was the first traffic free shopping zone in Britain. Plans to redevlop the town centre are currently being constructed, to rejuvanate the town centre. Stevenage hosts yearly events such as Stevenage Carnival and Stevenage day.