Play street scheme gets green light from council

Similar schemes have been launched in other areas across England

A road in Surrey will be closed to traffic for hours at a time so children can play safely together outside.

Epsom and Ewell Borough Council is adopting the "play street" scheme to allow children to play freely, without organised activities.

The authority has approved an application for Miles Road, which it said had the support of more than 75% of residents.

It said the scheme would support the "mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing of children" and the wider community.

Similar car-free play zones can be found in places such as Portsmouth and London, and the idea has recently been adopted by neighbouring Elmbridge Borough Council.

The resident-led schemes allow for streets that are not a main road or bus route to be closed to through-traffic for up to three hours.

Miles Road resident Jo Markworth, who led the application, told BBC Radio Surrey it would initially be trialled about once a month over the winter.

She said: “Children will be able to play with friends, make new friends. We are also hoping that adults will come out. It’s a win-win for everybody really."

The scheme will be see Miles Road occasionally closed for children to safely play together

Councillor Clive Woodbridge, chair of the council's community and wellbeing committee, said: “We believe the scheme will help support the mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing of children and the community by creating a safe and inclusive space."

He said any road could apply to have a playing out scheme but not all roads were suitable.

"It is primarily geared to side roads, small roads, where they can be closed off for a period of time and marshalled by the residents,” he said.

Lawrie Baker, head of active communities at Active Surrey, said it was a "brilliant" idea.

He added: "Hats off to Epsom and Ewell. The benefits are huge for physical health and wellbeing."