Play streets

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What are play streets

Play streets are a community event run by residents. They provide children with a safe and free space to play on their street. Play streets offer many benefits, such as:

  • giving children more opportunities to play close to their homes
  • allowing neighbours to come together and build their community
  • helping children learn about their neighbourhood while being physically active

For more information on play streets, please visit the London Play and Playing Out websites.

Play streets in Barnet

Following a successful pilot scheme, residents across Barnet can now apply to host a play street.

The council will provide support and guidance, but as play streets are a community led event, they must be organised and promoted by local residents.

Planning your play street

Here are some steps to help you plan your play street:

  1. commit to organising a play street
  2. gather support from your neighbours
  3. finalise dates and the ideal location for your play street
  4. read the council's play street policy (ODT, 135 KB)
  5. consult your neighbours and affected businesses. Ask them to sign the play streets support petition (link at the bottom of this page)
  6. submit your application at least 10 weeks before the planned date
  7. if your application is approved, start planning for your day

The Playing Out website has various resources including comprehensive FAQs to assist you in your journey to organising a successful play street.

Get your neighbours involved

Before applying to host a play street, you must consult neighbours and businesses who may be affected by the street closure.

We strongly recommend communicating with as many households and businesses on your road as possible. You can use the resident consultation letter and support petition templates shared below.

If you receive objections, you must try to resolve them in the first instance and provide evidence of resolution.

If an objection remains unresolved, submit it along with your application for officers to review and consider.  Please note, this may cause a delay in your application.

It’s important to note that if officers are unable to resolve an objection, it may result in your application being refused.

Apply for a play street

To set up a play street you need to complete the application process for consideration to be made to close your road.

An application can be up to a maximum length of twelve months. You can only submit one application per 12 month period so ensure you include all dates on your application form if you wish to make your play street a regular event.

You will be required to submit a new play street application annually.

To apply, you must submit the following documents:

Please submit your application by email:highwayscorrespondence@barnet.gov.uk, a minimum of 10 weeks before your first play street event. We will review your application and let you know our decision in writing within 6 weeks of the application submission date.

If there is a change of date to the original approval, a cost maybe incurred by the event organiser to amend the traffic order. To discuss any changes to the original dates, please contact us by email: highwayscorrespondence@barnet.gov.uk

Fees

There is no charge for a play street application.

To assist with the safe running of the event, we will also provide the following free of charge:

  • road closure signs
  • cones
  • hi-vis vests

Costs for play equipment must be met by the organisers.

For tips and advice on how to fund your play street, visit: winning funding to grow play streets.

What’s next after approval

Once your application is approved, we will arrange for the road closure to be put in place up to 30 minutes before of your event.

Whilst the road will be closed to through traffic, residents and emergency vehicles will still be entitled to enter and exit the play street area using their vehicles.

To ensure the safe operation of your play street, it’s essential to organise volunteers to steward the road closure in line with the Barnet’s play street guidance notes.

Play street guidance notes (ODT 157KB)

Play street organisers will also be required to remove equipment and clear all rubbish before the road is reopened.

Risk Insurance

It is strongly recommended that organisers should consider taking out Public Liability Insurance from a reputable insurer for the period of the road closure (with a limit of indemnity of no less than £5million for each occurrence or series of occurrences). Please note:

  • London Borough of Barnet does not provide public liability insurance
  • play streets are a resident/community led activity, and it is the responsibility of the organiser to complete a risk assessment.  The council will not accept responsibility for the risk assessment
  • more information about play street risk assessment can be obtained from the Playing Out FAQs. You can also download Template Risk Benefit Assessment.