Local authorities need more cohesion to offer children safer and healthier lifestyles through better access to play, according to Sustrans.
The UK’s leading sustainable transport charity today published Routes to play which calls for more joint working across council departments – especially children’s services, planning and transport – to ensure young people can get to play spaces actively and independently.
Routes to play responds to research which has highlighted traffic as one of the main barriers to play.
In addition to setting out how to develop a coordinated approach to active play across strategic planning, the guide sets out how to improve:
• routes to play spaces through infrastructure, such as installing crossings, lighting and signage
• cycle access to play spaces through cycle parking, and reviewing cycling restrictions
• safe access through limiting traffic speeds to 20mph and below in built-up areas
• local knowledge of walking and cycling routes to play spaces through maps and information
It also calls for the need to involve children and young people themselves in creating safer routes, and to create play spaces along traffic-free paths.
Sustrans Chief Executive Malcolm Shepherd said: “Children and young people’s freedom to play and be active outdoors has been restricted in recent decades, and the rising levels of childhood obesity now highlight the crucial role of physically active play.
“Children themselves identify traffic as the main barrier to outdoor play and there is a clear need to ensure they can walk and cycle – where they live – and that they have access to traffic-free spaces for play.
“This won’t happen without rethinking the way our public spaces are planned and managed, to prioritise walking and cycling access over motorised transport. Children should be able to travel actively and independently, when visiting friends or going to the park - play and active travel are interwoven and sometimes indistinguishable.”
Routes to play features successful case studies including traffic-calming of residential streets in Swindon and the creation of nearly two miles of new walking and cycle routes in a large public park in Edinburgh.
Routes to play is available for download at www.sustrans.org.uk/play
Fair enough, I grew up in a dull south London suburb too! Mind you, my wife grew up in Croydon and pretty much refuses to set foot in the place...
The "momentary lapse in concentration" sh1te, more likely a habitual series of driving without care through residential areas. FFS its a cul-de...
I don't have a problem with him telling his story platforming a doper is bollocks. Even if I did, the new Governement rule of accepting apologies...
dog has been trainied to be wingman for your friend. it's all deliberate
It is.
Less batshit crazy, more seagull shit crazy.
presumably the administrators of whats left of Wiggle that Mikey didnt buy....
Yup! Like the city in Italy and the famous French caesar were named after a cake... (ask Shelly Tambo from "Northern Exposure")!
Very nice read, Personally i think the part of the bike your disliking mostly boils down to the tyers and wheels. Shove some alpinsts in there and...
Ipswich residents try to improve Humber Doucy Lane traffic, essentially they want to create an LTN....