'Playing Out' - street closure so kids can play out in their street

[angelas]

I thought some of you might be interested in this. We recently closed our street - Relf Rd in Peckham- so that our kids could play out with their neighbours, safe from cars. It was great - they played football, rode their bikes and older residnets came and leant on their gates and chatted!

It was really easy to organise. An email to the council's events locations officer - [email protected] and 020 7525 0741 - filled in some forms, letters to residents then th council delivered the barriers and 'street closed' signs.

We were inspired by a Guardian article about a scheme in Bristol. There's loads more info on the playing out website includinng template posters, letters to residents etc

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2012/jun/23/reclaiming-the-streets-for-kids

www.playingout.net

We are hoping to make it a regular thing ideally monthly

[James Barber]

What a fab idea.

If anyone wants help organisnig this for their street in East Dulwich do get in touch with me.

[Otta]

I assume some streets would be easier to get the go ahead than others which are well used by traffic?

[david_carnell]

If you live on the South Circular....unlikely! :-)

I'm torn on this. It IS good that kids get to play on the street. But what a shame that our streets are now so given over to cars that we have to close the road in order for them to do so.

There are no more houses now than when I grew up and yet certainly more cars and more car journeys. I was able to play in, on or around my road with relative freedom and little worry a little over 15 years ago and yet wouldn't want to do so, or allow my child to, now.

If politicians (and I don't include James B in this dig) had stood up to the car lobby more and our streets were more pedestrian (and cycle) friendly, we wouldn't need to resort to such lengths in order for our children to participate in something as simple as outdoor play next to their homes.

[Otta]

What David said.

I would much rather see the council providing more safe outdoor environments for kids to play in than just closing roads.

[????]

the 'car lobby' (who ever that is?) or just the fact that majority of people if they have the means seem to like owning cars for a variety of reasons, mainly but not entirely practical. And we haven,t yet had a a government in power who feels it's their duty to social engineer us plebs out of this nasty capitalist habit and certainly one that's ever had the money to invest enough in Public Transport (and we are talking at least quadrupling the budget to even start making a chink in the 95% of passenger journys done by private car (or there abouts last time I looked at the National Travel Survey).

[Otta]

So instead of that, lets just spend a little bit on some open play spaces.

[sunbob]

Most of East Dulwich is very handy for Peckham Rye park or Dulwich Park and they have great open play spaces, playgrounds, adult gyms and pr has a skate park and adventure playground too. Many people drive or bus into the area to use them.

[Otta]

Absolutely, but would be nice to see some all purpose pitches for older kids to play footy and other sports. More skate parks too.

[Mrs TP]

I took mine to the Relf Rd closure (not a resident but invited by those organising). It was loads of fun but did have a few probs explaining to my 3yr old this was a one off special event and she was allowed to play in the road as there would be no cars.

Has been a bit like telling your kids not to speak to strangers but then expecting them to have a half hour chat with Father Christmas at the grotto - don't play in the road / oh yeah do play in the road.

There are loads of well maintained outdoor facilities in E. Dul and surrounds and don't think any extra money needs to be spent.

[Otta]

Loads of spaces for little ones, not so much for older kids I don't think. Although happy to be pointed in the right direction if I'm missing something.

[????]

Peckham rye skate park etc

[david_carnell]

???? Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> the 'car lobby' (who ever that is?) or just the

> fact that majority of people if they have the

> means seem to like owning cars for a variety of

> reasons, mainly but not entirely practical. And we

> haven,t yet had a a government in power who feels

> it's their duty to social engineer us plebs out of

> this nasty capitalist habit and certainly one

> that's ever had the money to invest enough in

> Public Transport (and we are talking at least

> quadrupling the budget to even start making a

> chink in the 95% of passenger journys done by

> private car (or there abouts last time I looked at

> the National Travel Survey).

You don't think a car lobby exists? Or you don't know who it's made up of? I'll presume the latter although I suspect you're being provocatively naive regardless. I would, off the top of my head, list car manufacturers, petrol retailers, pressure groups like the AA and RAC and trade bodies. They would influence national transport policy and this would filter down to local authorities. It's not some grand conspiracy, just how things work.

Nor is your attempt to label this as some anti-capitalist rant accurate. One of the most free-market countries on earth, Singapore, makes car ownership difficult and expensive and provides a superb public transport infrastructure.

And I don't think it's unrealistic to expect that in dense urban areas that car use could be much lower than it currently is if there was a political will for it. Or if there had been over many years. But there hasn't/isn't. And I completely understand that if you live in a rural or even suburban area then this is a much more difficult proposition.

If we want our inner cities to be greener, more pleasant places to live and safer for our children then our use of cars needs serious attention.

[????]

David - your political will bit gives the game away. The point is it's not really what the people want YET - and not becuase there's some capitalist crony car lobby hoodwinking us all - however frustrating that is to you as a socialsit who wants the state to decide for us rather tha us have the choice. Incidentally, all those countries that have thrown off the yoke 'of people on high that know best' for political freedom have a) got richer b) got more cars.

Singapore is a lol example. I've only been there once but reclaimed streets teaming with kids playing? mmm not anywhere near where I was or went. Their car policy reflects the fact that they had rampant congestion and it's still there - and that's where your solution will come when it get's unbearable. They've also plenty of money to invest in Public Transport (and I don't remember it being all that) as they don't have a welfare state or NHS. To be absolutely clear before you jump in I do NOT want a society without either of those thanks.

Happy to move this debate elsewhere as we've hijacked a thread about a decent initiative

[????]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-19999762

Now this is good

[Curmudgeon]

There was a similar thread a while ago - I was really confused by this concept as children on our road play out in the street (admittedly it's a quiet road). Initially with supervision and then gradually as they grow in independence, and common sense, unsupervised.

It's a wonderful throw-back to the way it used to be (remember the good old days when all around was green fields and you could go out for tuppence ha'penny yadda yadda)

But is intensely different from 'closing a road' which personally I have issues with as surely the point is to grow in independence and safety - probably preparing them for secondary which comes round so quickly.

If the road is so busy it needs closing then it shouldn't be used IMO and the open spaces of Goose Green, Peckham Rye, Dulwich Park etc should be used. Otherwise parents in the street can keep an eye out / supervise as required and gradually you get children with road safety experience, neighbourhood communities and a lovely childhood

well that's my take anyway

[Curmudgeon]

I found the original thread

http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?29,889362,897130#msg-897130

[Saffron]

The OP makes an interesting point about older residents coming out to socialise as well, so it isn't just about kids, or streets vs playparks. Older residents may be unable or feel comfortable walking to playparks to socialise. A quiet road with no cars might seem quite inviting for older folks to come out on their doorsteps and chat with neighbours they don't see everyday. xx

[Otta]

Have to admit, I thought that was nice too. Although they won't be so happy once a football smashes a window! ;-)

[Saffron]

Obvious solution: wrap the footballs in cotton wool, just like the children ;-)