‘Play streets’ could see roads shut
The idea of closing roads temporarily so children can play in the street in Kent is to be given “serious consideration”.
Kent County Council (KCC) was last week asked to introduce the ‘play street’ scheme – where a road is closed to traffic for a few hours, on a regular basis, so youngsters can have a safe space to play freely.
Cllr Kelly Grehan (Lab), of the council’s Labour group, said: “I see this as an opportunity for KCC to aid the people of Kent to make it a better place to grow up in.”
Its aim would be to improve the physical, emotional and mental wellbeing of young people living in Kent.
Other councils across England have delivered similar schemes, including Camden in London where, in June 2019, a group of youngsters used musical instruments, wore fancy dress and played hop scotch when a road was shut near Great Ormond Street Hospital.
Last week, KCC’s full council debated a motion put forward by the Labour group to introduce similar play street schemes.
Cllr Grehan, who proposed the move, said: “In this chamber we often talk about the problems which now encase childhood.
“Children are always inside, they do not know their neighbours, suffer from obesity, social anxiety and a mixture of mental
health conditions. Research shows it is fundamental to children’s physical, social and emotional development, as well as their immediate happiness and wellbeing. For many children safe outdoor play is out of their reach.”
Other games talked about included tag, listening to stories from neighbours and enjoying a sing-along with other children.
Cllr Grehan, who represents Dartford North East, said: “If you give children the time and space to play, common sense is
they will quite naturally do it, be more active and more emotionally resilient.”
However, KCC’s cabinet member for highways and transport, Cllr David Brazier (Con), warned of the dangers faced by children playing out on the streets.
He said: “There is a great deal of traffic to pass on every street and deliveries need to be made.
“I anticipate objections to this scheme from residents who do not have off-street parking and will neither wish to have their vehicle struck by a football, nor feel obliged to move their car and lose their parking space.”
He sought more information from the opposition group and
to test whether any support could be gained from the Department for Transport (DfT).
Labour’s motion was defeated, but talks will take place with the Conservatives about bringing play streets to Kent.
Cllr Brazier says any scheme would have to be “cost-neutral” amid the financial pressures faced by the county council during the pandemic and Brexit.
He added: “We can’t vote for this motion, but I can offer a constructive way forward.
“I do not want to dismiss the aspiration of the motion and we would like to give it serious consideration.”