Play streets are set to be reintroduced back into Salford 90 years after the city pioneered the scheme in England.
As part of the project, streets will be shut for four hours a day and residents will be in charge of the closures with help from the council.
The streets will be put forward by the residents themselves and will need at least 60% of the neighbourhood in favour of creating a Play Street.
The idea behind the scheme is that residents will be able to close off their street which will allow children to play safely without the risk of oncoming traffic.
Back in the 1930s Salford was the first city to introduce play streets in the country when then Salford Chief Constable Major Cedric Valentine Godfrey, brought the idea to the city after seeing how they worked in the tightly-packed districts of The Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, and Manhattan in New York who had created play streets.
Salford City Councillors agreed to launch the pilot scheme during today’s council meeting (12/10/2020).
Those affected by the street closures will be consulted, with the council planning on releasing a consultation with guidance and risk assessment forms for residents who put themselves forward as organisers.
Applications for Play Streets will only be considered on roads managed by the council, cul-de-sacs or through routes with low traffic numbers and suitable alternatives for drivers.
Through traffic will be diverted and residents who live on the streets will not have to move their cars.
They will be free to enter or leave the street, however, will be asked to drive at ‘walking speed’ and escorted by a volunteer.
The scheme is hoping to get young Salfordians more active and for stronger neighbourhoods to form through the increase of friendships among children and adults.
Lead Member for Planning and Sustainable Development Councillor Derek Antrobus said “Salford, historically has been a leader in the creation of play streets. This is the modern version of it.
"It allows residents to close off their street for events, regular play activities, but it was a convoluted experience for people to go to and what we've done is to try to cut through all the red tape and make it easier for communities to create safe spaces for their children and families.
"It’s a response to what the communities were demanding and we’ve managed to address it in a very sensible way."
