The Lancashire town closing roads so children are able to play out in the street

A new ‘play street’ scheme restricting traffic in part of a Lancashire town for short periods will boost both children’s and adults’ lives in many ways, supporters say.

Youngsters and parents in Belgrave Road, Colne, are holding weekly play street sessions, closing the road to through-traffic for three hours, to let children play safely outside.  Locals in cars can still get access, marshalled by volunteers.

Regular physical play, such as hopscotch and skipping, and generally being outdoors is good for children’s health, including their weight and eyesight, along with their happiness and social skills, organisers say. And it gets them away from staring at mobile phones and computers. And play streets are being launched elsewhere too.

Pendle Council’s Colne area committee is supporting the test scheme with road signs and equipment for volunteers. And other Colne streets could see similar arrangements if Belgrave Road is a success.

Mum-of-five Karen Clark is involved with the Belgrave Road sessions. She said: “In a world where we constantly hear concerns about childhood obesity, mental health and too much screen time, it is genuinely refreshing to see children playing outside, active and enjoying themselves.

“But in addition to children playing, I also see neighbours talking to one another. Families are spending time together and residents are connecting with people they might otherwise only pass by.”

Conservative councillor Sarah Cockburn-Price has championed the idea, supported by others. She first heard about the national Play Streets movement on a radio programme and then worked to launch a scheme in Pendle.

Lynette Sherratt-Connelly, one of the Colne volunteers, said. “When I first read about the idea on Sarah’s Facebook page, I got together with neighbours and we registered our interest straight away. Since launching, we’ve really relished seeing all our children playing freely outside, out of danger, and have remembered all those games and skipping songs we loved back-in-the-day.”

Sarah Cockburn-Price said: “It took almost 18 months but I’m delighted that Pendle Council’s executive has now backed play streets for Pendle. Our pilot street of Belgrave Road has proved just how-well this simple, old-fashioned concept can work. And I’d like to thank everyone who supported the right for children to play safely near their homes.

“I adored ‘playing out’ as a child. But it’s a pleasure largely denied to the current generation of children. The decline of playing outside has predictable, negative consequences for sociability, co- ordination and physical fitness. We see this at Colne Youth Action Group, which we also run in the town.

“But the general situation is worse. There has been a massive rise in non-genetic myopia – eye problems with short-sightedness where distant things appear blurred – and the huge danger this leads to, regarding macular degeneration and blindness.  And the reason behind this is a plunge in the time spent outdoors by children.  Scientists calculate that children need to spend at least two hours a day outdoors.”

According to the national Playing Out campaign group, play streets first evolved in Bristol around 2009 and have since spread across the UK and internationally. In the north-west, there are or have been schemes in Blackpool and Rossendale. Also Greater Manchester – in Trafford, Stockport, Manchester and Tameside – and Liverpool.