Brent Council has agreed a cabinet report which paves the way for local communities to regularly convert their streets into car-free play areas for their children.
Typically taking place for one afternoon a month, the council says the scheme follows a successful pilot which took place earlier in the year.
Brent Council hopes that the scheme will allow children to take full advantage of the additional playground, quite literally on their doorstep.
To get the scheme started, the council is covering the upfront costs, including the public advertising required for Traffic Management Orders, and are also covering the cost of public liability insurance. The council has also found a sponsor to provide the necessary free traffic cones and signs.
Cllr Eleanor Southwood, Brent’s cabinet member for the environment, said: “Parents are always keen for somewhere safe and convenient for their kids to play, so this is a wonderful idea.
“This is a great example of the council making life easier by taking away the hassle (and cost) of the legal requirements – and promoting healthy, active lifestyle opportunities for your people.”
Earlier this year the campaign group 20s Plenty for Us called for a 20mph national urban speed limit in order to make it possible for more children to play outdoors.