Radical measures to reduce childhood obesity in Wales are being discussed today during a debate between Welsh Assembly Government ministers, building contractors and architects.
The debate, organized by sustainable transport charity Sustrans and Play Wales, will look at car-free housing developments in a bid to make streets safe for children to walk, cycle and play.
Heavy snowfall postponed the original meeting, on February 3, giving children the chance to claim back their streets for snowball fights and play while many cars were left immobile.
New research shows that between 1973 and 2006, the proportion of children playing out on the streets fell from 75 per cent to 15 per cent. Inactivity is part of a growing obesity problem among young people in Wales where one in five thirteen-year-olds are overweight or obese. Welsh children have some of the highest body mass indexes in the world, according to the Welsh Assembly Government.
Jane Davidson, Welsh Assembly Government Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing, chairs today’s debate about ways of reversing the decline in children’s activity levels.
Sustrans Director Lee Waters said: “The heavy snow that postponed this debate first time around was a very real demonstration of how, when cars are taken off the roads, children take the opportunity to play freely outdoors. This is precisely the vision we have for a network of car-free streets in Wales.
“Too many urban areas are clogged by traffic when they could be safe public spaces where children can play safely outside their front doors and travel independently.”
The event hears from Millennium Centre architect Jonathan Adams of Capita Percy Thomas and representatives from groups including the South Wales Highway Development Control Forum and building contractor Leadbitter.
Play Wales Assistant Director Marianne Mannello said: “Time after time children tell us they prefer to play outside with their friends than anywhere else – it is time that we adults heard and responded to what they have to say. Where children feel they can play out there is a sense of community and vibrancy that benefits everyone – let’s take steps to make every community a play-friendly place.”
The debate takes place in Ty Hywel, Cardiff Bay, at 6pm.
Radar tells me their closing speed, if they are slowing and how far away. Then I decide to say a prayer. The change of light pattern is incidental.
Quite so, which is why our village 20mph zone covers the whole residential extent. Of course, enforcement is another thing..
£4.
No, that's very doubtful while proper testing would be fully destructive.
In that £1000 exactly scenario, beginners should probably be made aware that pedals will be extra.
What's wrong with dropping down on to the Millenium Bridge, or the swing bridge, then the brief, but satisfying climb back up the hill? #training....
The relatives might of course disagree, but in general I'd countenance a relatively light sentence* if only we could fix it so that those who...
Id forgotten that I got a second hand set of project two's for my getting to work bike over twenty years back.
My bet is that all these tires popping off are from people with bad pressure gauges or they're simply just putting too much air in on purpose. ...
David9694 - you were right! These new autonomous vehicles really are conspiring to run out of control!...