Council’s Play Streets scheme grows

Parents from another five Croydon communities want to join a council scheme that temporarily closes roads so children can play safely in their street once a month.

In October a pilot Play Street event in Love Lane, Woodside, drew more than 50 children and their parents who enjoyed the sunshine for three hours while council officers kept the road closed to through traffic.

The council-backed scheme, which is supported by charity London Play, involves residents asking for the local authority’s permission to temporarily close their road to through traffic once a month, after consulting neighbours, so that children can play and residents can get out and talk to each other.

Following the Love Lane trial and a follow-up information evening run by council officers, neighbours from five more roads have expressed interest in applying to the council for their own Play Street event and street closure. These streets will be named when the related public consultations begin from next month.

Residents in another trial Play Street, Limes Road in Selhurst, have permission to regularly hold their event on the last Sunday of each month, while Love Lane’s Play Street now has permission to hold further events on the second Sunday of each month.

More communities can still apply to Croydon Council for a street closure and a share of up to £1,200 in equipment from London Play.

“We set up Play Streets in Croydon to get more people active, have fun and build stronger communities, so I’m really pleased we can look forward to even more families enjoying safe play in their road.”

Councillor Kathy Bee, cabinet member for transport and environment

 

If you are interested in holding your own Play Street event, contact the council on cfp@croydon.gov.uk or call 020 8726 6400 ext. 63371. For more information, visit the council website.

Click here to view a short video with Council Leader Tony Newman and fellow Woodside councillor Hamida Ali explaining why Play Streets are worthwhile being involved in.

2015-11-16T13:46:02+00:00 November 16th, 2015|Recent news|