'Play streets' scheme launched in Bradford to give kids safe space to play

It's hoped a new scheme letting communities in Bradford close off their streets to cars will get more children playing outside and tackle high levels of inactivity.

'Play Streets' lets people apply to the council to close their road for between one to three hours so kids can be more active and neighbours can get to know each other.

It’s an idea that’s proved successful in other parts of the country, including in Leeds which has one of the most active Play Streets schemes in the UK according to a recent report.

Research by Born in Bradford found that 64 per cent of 9 to 10-year-olds in the city are not getting their recommended amount of daily exercise and spend up to 70 per cent of their day sitting down.

In particular it found just six per cent of South Asian girls are doing enough activity to benefit their health.

Sam Bacon is director of Active Bradford and JU:MP (Join Us: Move. Play) and says the scheme is hugely welcome:

“There’s some really startling statistics when it comes to levels of inactivity in Bradford.

“It might be a lack of green space nearby, it might be that there aren’t suitable facilities… so if you can transform your road into a space to play that’s really important.

“In some areas of the city, some places in Manningham for example, we’ve trialled this type of thing where neighbours come out together for an afternoon or as schools are coming out, and you close off that road and just let kids be able to walk home or play outside for a little bit.

“And you have mums stood at the top of the street talking together and getting to know each other and it is really good for that cohesion and togetherness.

“The one thing that is really key in this though is that the community support it, so this isn’t something the council wants to do TO places… it’s something they want to do in partnership with places.”

The launch of the new initiative comes after pilot Play Street sessions were successfully trialled at two separate sites in October last year and January this year.

The council says anyone wanting to hold a Play Street session should start by speaking to their neighbours to get support and find the most convenient dates. They can apply on the Bradford Council website.

To minimise disruption, residents will still be allowed vehicle access to and from their homes but they are reminded to drive at walking pace and be mindful of children playing.