{
  "id": 151069,
  "title": "Closing down streets so children can play",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/04/closing-down-streets-so-children-can-play",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-04T23:43:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "BBC News",
    "slug": "bbc-news",
    "url": "https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8jnmzekx0ro?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A seven-year-old boy named Aydin has taken pleasure in a new area designated as a “Play Street,” located on Colenso Mount, a road in the Holbeck region of Leeds. At this temporary halt to traffic, children can engage in various activities, such as riding scooters, drawing with chalk, blowing bubbles, and playing football. This unique opportunity provides the children in the neighborhood with an outdoor space to play freely and securely, shielded from traffic. A recent survey conducted by the organization Play Their Way revealed that a majority of parents (46%) express concern about their children lacking a secure environment for outdoor play. Prime Minister Andy Burnham is being urged to revive a national play strategy, which he championed as Culture Secretary in 2008. Both Wales and Scotland have adopted the practice of making play opportunities a legal requirement for local authorities. However, in England, Play England, a campaign group, warns that many children are deprived of high-quality playgrounds and play opportunities. The group is advocating for the Prime Minister to compel councils to routinely evaluate whether children are receiving adequate time, space, and freedom to play within their communities. A spokesperson from the government acknowledged the importance of providing children with space to play and is investing £18 million to restore lost play spaces. They are also introducing free stay-and-play sessions in their new local community centers, known as Best Start Family Hubs, offering parents updated guidance on screen time and safeguarding playgrounds through their planning rules. A commission on play, led by the Centre for Young Lives, indicates that children nowadays spend half the time in unstructured outdoor play compared to any generation before them. The report highlights that play is often overlooked due to increased traffic, screen time, and societal reluctance to embrace play in public spaces. Local residents, such as Beth and Kate, appreciate the safety of a Play Street on their street, enabling their children to play without the fear of traffic or other hazards. Beth emphasizes the security of the area, stating that it's a vital asset for the children in this deprived neighborhood. Another resident, Kate, highlights the added benefit of the Play Street in fostering connections with neighbors. The idea of closing residential streets for children to play was initiated in 2009 by a group of parents in Bristol, aiming to demonstrate that playing near home should be commonplace and not a special event. Alice Ferguson, one of the founders, considers play essential for children's well-being and believes that organized Play Streets can contribute to this broader objective. Ferguson's campaign group, Playing Out, estimates that approximately 100 councils across the UK have implemented a Play Street policy, with more than 1,600 streets regularly closing to traffic. Although council policies may vary throughout the country, Ferguson contends that a national policy would provide clarity and confidence to councils and residents regarding safe street closures. She acknowledges that some challenges persist, such as cost barriers and the requirement for insurance, as well as the absence of a policy in many councils. Nonetheless, Ferguson emphasizes that there are common prerequisites for organizing a Play Street, including an official \"road closed\" sign, physical barriers at each end, and volunteers to guide residents in and out. Catherine Peacock, a representative from KidzKlub in Leeds, has organized around 100 Play Streets in her city over the past few years. Initially, Peacock started the initiative as a mother, seeking a safe place for her children to play. However, she soon realized that other streets could benefit from the same approach and has since expanded her efforts. Leeds City Council is focusing on hosting Play Streets in poorer neighborhoods, as staff have observed that most residents applying to close their roads reside in more affluent areas. Jen Rutherford, the Play Strategy Officer for Leeds City Council, underscores the importance of integrating play into various aspects of local authority decisions, extending beyond playgrounds. She highlights the need for developers to consider children and young people when designing new spaces in the city, promoting a focus on play during the planning process. On Colenso Mount, ten-year-old Mohamed eagerly anticipates the chance to resume playing football with his friends in the street. He believes that this initiative will bring excitement, happiness, and enjoyable experiences for children during the summer holidays.",
  "summary": "In Leeds, streets are being temporarily closed to traffic so kids have more space to safely play - an initiative proving beneficial to both children and adults.",
  "key_points": [
    "Seven-year-old Aydin enjoys designated \"Play Street\" on Colenso Mount in Leeds.",
    "Survey shows 46% of parents worry about children's secure outdoor play environment.",
    "Play Streets initiative aims to provide safe, traffic-free play spaces for children."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The growing movement to close residential streets for children's play highlights a shift in priorities to treat play as a necessity, not an afterthought, in urban planning and community development.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}