Street closed to traffic to allow children to play

A road in Stourbridge was closed to traffic for a few hours

Children have been playing in the street as part of a new project aimed at encouraging youngsters to get off their screens and outside.

Mum-of-two Ruth Blayney from Dudley is behind the "play street" idea which saw neighbours close their street in Stourbridge to traffic temporarily for a few hours on Saturday.

"We know that play is really important for children's wellbeing, and there are loads of barriers in place, which mean that they just don't play enough. We wanted to organize this event for the local children to give them the time, the space and the permission to play," she said.

The local council greenlighted the project and volunteer stewards were on hand to keep people safe.

Ms Blayney added: "It's really lovely to see and hear them being active and making friends and just having loads of fun.

"I've had a really positive response from the parents, but also from people that don't necessarily have children as it has been an opportunity for them to talk to their neighbours."

Ruth Blayney said she wanted to encourage kids to get off their phones and play outisde

Katie Hudson thought the project was exactly what children needed today.

"I think it's lovely that the children can come out, play and get away from the screen," she said.

"It encourages them to be more social, helps them to make friends, meet people that they've never met before, and helps with their social element of growing up."

Arron Hudson said seeing his street full of playing children transported him back to his boyhood days.

"It feels like 25 years ago when I was a kid," he said. "To see it again, it's almost like a bit of a walk into the past almost.

"Kids today, they're very, they're very glued to their screens, whether it be a PlayStation or an Xbox or a phone or iPad or whatever it is.

"To see kids in the streets, playing, doing activities, it's nice and nostalgic."

Councillor Jason Thorne applauded Ms Blayney's idea, praising its focus on community cohesion.

"The kids get to play out and they haven't got cars interfering with them, and everybody gets to have a good time," he said.

"People also get to meet each other, neighbours you've probably not spoke to and it's good for the community."