Car-free 'play streets' considered in bid to get town's kids more active

Yahoo

09-05-2025

Temporary 'play streets' for children, or the creation of greener back lanes behind Colne terraced streets, will be discussed as ways to try and get more children playing outside.
Children's health and physical activity could be boosted, along with relationships between neighbours, if new spaces beyond local parks and closer to households can be created if there is community support, Colne councillors are being told in a new report.
Pendle Council's Colne area committee is being asked to think about play street and green alley ideas to give young people safe places for outdoor recreation near their homes.
Amid the ongoing obesity crisis among children and young people, safe areas to exercise could help get back to healthy weights.
A report for its latest meeting says benefits could include extra temporary safe playing areas for children free from traffic, better air quality in local streets and residents having a sense of involvement in shaping the environment where they live.
Now councillors are being asked to think about testing a few ideas this summer. Factors to think about include getting views from residents, schools, youth groups and community organisations to build grass-roots interest. Surveys could gauge demand.
Street selection is another factor. Councillors are being asked to think about suitable residential streets, with low through-traffic but accessible for emergency vehicles, or 'unadopted' back streets.
The council's new Colne Masterplan could help in identifying streets and pilot areas for tests, according to the report.
Unadopted roads are not the responsibility of Lancashire County Council, which has powers over most roads and streets, so no county council involvement would be needed.
However, temporary traffic regulation orders or a closure through the Town Police Clauses Act would be needed, the report adds.
Also, if making back streets greener was considered, such as with grass, raised flower beds or trees, talks would be needed with Pendle Council's waste services department about a possible impact on bin collections.
Also needed is thought about the impact of residents moving away in future, leading to greenery or structures being abandoned.
Alley gates might be needed on back lanes, but this would mean extra costs and also potentially block children from playing with each other, the report adds, so it needs careful thought.
Some money might be available for signs but the schemes would rely mainly on unpaid volunteer residents. Some training might be available to help people organise themselves.