How to Set Up a Play Street
Play streets create a space for young children to play, turning temporarily closed roads into a
safe, imaginative place for kids to get out and enjoy.
Would you like to see more children playing safely out on your street, maybe like you did as
a child? We can help you bring your street back to life, for a few hours anyway, with a little
help from your neighbours.
Is your road suitable?
Play streets can only be hosted on a residential street - a main road or one with a lot of daily
traffic flow cannot be partially closed. You will need to email the council at
[email protected] -They will help, first by confirming whether your
road can actually be closed, and if it can, they can email you with letter templates, the survey
(that has to be completed) and other helpful stuff to make your play street a success.
Getting support
To be allowed to close off your street, even for a few hours, you will need to get your
neighbours on board with the idea. Streets can be closed for up to three hours in the winter
months and two hours in the summer.
Knock on a few doors and just ask. For the play street to work there needs to be children
there – there is good chance other parents and grandparents in the area would love to help
get kids off the sofa and outside playing, they might even offer to help you make it happen.
Remember to share all the positives about the play street idea – getting kids active, playing
together, using their imagination etc
The admin bit
To make it official, we will give you a draft a letter to complete which includes the link to an
online survey for your neighbours to fill in to show their support – don’t worry, the transport
planning team will help with this bit, and get as many of those lovely neighbours who said
they would like a play street to sign up.
The council will arrange a Traffic Management Order (TMO) letting everyone know about the
intention to close the street on that day at those times. The cost of the TMO is expensive, so
the council tends to only apply for these on a quarterly basis – so planning your play street in
advance is essential. The TMO will be published in two local newspapers, and will take six
weeks to expire.
© Ealing Council, 2014
The fun bit
Once the TMO is published, you will receive a free ‘Playing Out’ starter pack. This will
include tips and advice on how to run a successful play street, a couple of high visibility
jackets and everything you need to get started. The council’s Play Street team may also be
able to help with some of the printing – so call 020 8825 8415 and ask.
Good luck with your event.
© Ealing Council, 2014