Hackney's streets to become more child-friendly

Families living in the London borough of Hackney are to benefit from a new scheme which aims to make the area's streets safer for young children.

Hackney Council is launching a Play Street scheme, which will see selected streets closed to through traffic, allowing children to play safely and bringing communities closer together.

Parents will be able to apply to the local authority to be granted Temporary Play Street Orders, which will enable their streets to be closed for a few hours each week or month.

So far the scheme has proved to be a big hit with residents, particularly those in Oldfield Road where the street was closed for the first time on the afternoon of Sunday September 9th.

Around 70 youngsters from Oldfield Road and neighbouring streets were seen playing together and enjoying the traffic-free zone, while their parents met to chat.

Play Streets was launched following a recommendation from local resident Claudia Draper, who came up with the idea after seeing how happy the local children were when they were able to turn their streets into play areas during special events like street parties.

"Hopefully now playing out in the street won't be a once a year treat, but a normal part of our kids' lives, as well as being something that brings the community closer together," she remarked.

The changes could make property to rent in Hackney more attractive to families with children, who are looking for a safe and friendly London neighbourhood for their little ones to grow up in.

So far residents in another six of Hackney's streets have expressed an interest in joining the scheme, which has been backed by London Play.

Its chair Melian Mansfield said: "Hackney is to be applauded for taking this initiative which will be seen to benefit children and their communities in many different ways.

"We hope that other boroughs will follow suit and help make London a city where children are truly able to play freely and safely outdoors."

Posted by Charles Mackay
 

Published 13th September, 2012

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