Halifax Courier

Let’s make streets safe so children can play out

- John Greenwood

IF PLAYING out is a memory of childhoods past, the time is right to make it real again in the modern age.

A councillor who has lobbied his council for three years to take up the challenge following the success of a pioneering programme in Bristol believes playing out not only brings physical and mental health benefits to the children who enjoy it, but also to their parents, carers, neighbours and ultimately whole communitie­s.

Calderdale councillor Ashley Evans (Lib Dem, Warley) is encouraged that the council might drive the project forward in the borough, helping provide a framework in which for periods of time children can be enabled to play safely.

In December last year the council’s Cabinet agreed to back play street proposals – which will after consultati­on include street closures at some times in some neighburho­ods – and put the issue before full council for approval.

After January’s council meet

“We need to promote the scheme, it is great for socialisin­g and friendship.”

ing the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown means the proposal has been on ice but Coun Evans is hopeful the issue will move up the agenda now meetings are up and running in virtual form.

It is timely because some of the good things which have come out of the very difficult situation forced by the pandemic are an appreciati­on of being able to go outside when allowed and neighbours getting to know each other again, visible at Clap For The NHS sessions and chats over the garden fence.

Coun Evans recalled in his own childhood in Nottingham­shire “we would play out as often as possible”, chalking hopscotch courts and playing French cricket.

He isn’t alone as many others have similar memories but over the decades things seem to have changed.

“Over the years there has been a rise in the traffic and a rise in concerns about the safety of children being out and about.

“It’s been exacerbate­d in recent years with social media seeing young people Facebookin­g and Tik Toking,” said Coun Evans, adding that social media was affecting mental health issues.

But with Calderdale looking to improve children’s health outcomes, and support from key Cabinet members including Coun Scott Patient (Lab, Luddenden Foot), who holds the climate change and environmen­t portfolio, and Coun Adam Wilkinson (Lab, Sowerby Bridge), who has the Cabinet’s children’s services brief, other positive outcomes are also likely, he said.

The council has now announced a Play Streets project will be piloted this summer in Park ward and if successful could be rolled out more widely.

Once a council has cleared the legal path, allowing for road closures, the Bristol model saw community groups contacted

 ??  ?? PLAYING OUT: The campaign to make streets in Calderdale safer for children to play is gathering support
PLAYING OUT: The campaign to make streets in Calderdale safer for children to play is gathering support
 ??  ?? LOBBY: Calderdale councillor Ashley Evans has been pressing for the play streets project which will be piloted this year in part of Halifax.
LOBBY: Calderdale councillor Ashley Evans has been pressing for the play streets project which will be piloted this year in part of Halifax.

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