The council-backed Play Streets scheme that allows families to have outdoor fun on temporarily closed roads will expand next month to Croydon town centre.
College Road, a cul-de-sac off Park Lane that runs past Croydon College’s main entrance, will be closed to traffic on Saturday 15 July so families can play games, ride bicycles and meet new people. Follow-up events are planned for two further Saturdays in October and February.
Croydon Council introduced a policy in 2015 making it easier for borough residents to apply for temporary road closures so children and their parents could enjoy planned play sessions.
The College Road event will run between 11.30am and 4.30pm on Saturday 15 July, Saturday 21 October and Saturday 10 February, and the road closure will be overseen by council officers and volunteer marshals. Vehicles with urgent deliveries will be escorted at walking speed, and other traffic will be diverted along Park Lane.
The College Road event will be run by organisers behind the borough’s first Play Streets including Love Lane in Woodside, which was named Play Street of the Year at the 2016 Adventure Play Awards. Eight other Play Streets have been organised across Croydon, including the borough’s first school-run event outside Robert Fitzroy Academy in Brampton Road, Addiscombe.
“The council made Play Streets possible because it’s a simple but great way of bringing communities together to have fun and meet new people.
“I’m pleased Croydon town centre is getting its first Play Street, and all are welcome to come along and enjoy playing for a few hours in a safe outdoor environment.”
Councillor Stuart King, cabinet member for transport and environment
Anyone interested in setting up their own Play Street should email cfp@croydon.gov.uk or call 020 8726 6400 ext. 63371. For more information, visit the council website.
