Play Commission for England
Final reportPlay Commission for England
Final report
Playing Out started on 1 June 2009 when two residents, Amy Rose and Alice Ferguson, with support from their neighbours, used the council’s existing street party procedure to close their street to through traffic one day after school, making the space safe for free play.
After the success of that session, they went on to support residents to do the same in 6 local streets in 2010, with a small amount of funding from Active Bristol, a fund set up to increase everyday physical activity.
The council’s lead member for Public Health came to one of the pilot sessions and saw the potential for children’s health and wellbeing, as well as the wider community benefits. Residents on the pilot streets said they would like to be able to close to cars regularly, but at that time the council allowed streets a limit of 3 road closures per year, for events and street parties. With political support from the cabinet (including members for Transport and Children’s Services), highways officers developed a trial ‘Temporary Play Street Order’ (TPSO), using the same legislation already used for street parties (Town and Police Clauses Act 1847). This allowed residents to make a single annual application to regularly ‘open their street for play’.
Playing Out CIC received some council funding (initially from Children’s Services, then Public Health), to provide practical support and advice for residents. The TPSO was trialled in 2011-12 and is now a permanent policy, with almost 100 streets having held sessions across most parts of the city by end March 2015. Many other councils have now emulated this policy.
Streets can be closed for up to three hours once a week on dates specified in the application form. A single form can be used to apply for road closures for one year. Two stewards are required per closure point, with standard Road Closed signs and cones, and Road Ahead Closed signs if necessary. Residents have access into and out of the road, supervised by stewards. Organisers are not required to put up notices, but should have the formal permission letter to hand on the day. Applicants are advised but not required to take out public liability insurance.
The application process for a Temporary Play Street Order takes 8 weeks, which allows the council to consider any objections. The TPSO lasts for a year and is free. Applicants must consult all affected households and businesses using a standard letter provided by the council.
Any objections raised are dealt with by the council on a case by case basis but objections to the concept of street play are not considered sufficient grounds to refuse a TPSO.
The Business Support team processes applications and issues the approval notices for streets, with support from Highways. During 2013-16, Bristol City Council funded a Bristol Playing Out Co-ordinator post and road closure kit for streets with a TPSO. Our Bristol Co-ordinator provided advice and support to residents across the city, going to meetings, helping with printing and flyering, talking to neighbours and going to each street’s first session to ensure it happens safely and any issues are dealt with.
During 2015, a ‘Green Capital’ strategic grant funded pilot work to enable playing out in estates and areas facing greater disadvantage, and to roll out a ‘local activator’ support model where active residents support other streets locally to start playing out. Post-pandemic we have had an activator working across the city to build capacity amongst local community groups to support residents, including the community development officers within the city council. Bristol now has road closure kit distributed across the city in different community hubs, with promotional materials to help get the idea out to residents.
Bristol City Council has a page on its website giving information about the TPSO and signposting to www.playingout.net for more detailed guidance.
When Playing Out was actively supporting Bristol streets, there was some high-profile media coverage (local TV, radio and print), plus publicity happened through local newsletters, social media and through Playing Out attending local events. See tips for promotion here.
We set up a Bristol Playing Out Facebook group, and later a whatsapp group, as a way for residents to share ideas and advice. When Playing Out was actively supporting Bristol streets, there were opportunities to attend workshops (for example, on how to ensure safe stewarding), and for awhile there were occasional informal meet ups for street organisers.
From Bristol City Council website:
“Street play for children fits completely within Bristol City Council’s vision for:
“Playing Out is designed as a way to give children the space, time and safety to play actively right outside their front doors. To call it a low-cost, multi-generational initiative might seem like unnecessary jargon but in public health terms that’s what it is. And having seen it for myself and watched groups of children racing and chasing down their street I also know it’s fun and that’s the important bit!” Claire Lowman, Public Health Service Lead.
For more case studies read about Adur and Worthing and Hackney.
Windmill Hill City Farm
Philip Street
Bristol
BS3 4EA
Share this page:
Follow us:
