Hackney LBC will close a number of streets to traffic to provide safe outdoor areas for children to play in.
So-called ‘play streets’ will be trialled in the east London borough at the request of residents.
Melian Mansfield, chair of the childrens’ charity London Play, said: ‘As one of the five Olympic host boroughs, Hackney is to be applauded for taking this initiative which will be seen to benefit children and their communities in many different ways.
‘We hope that other boroughs will follow suit and help make London a city where children are truly able to play freely and safely outdoors.’
Cllr Feryal Demirci, Hackney’s cabinet member for neighbourhoods, said: ‘Hackney Council is currently considering a number of requests to close selected streets to traffic to enable children to play outdoors. Initially this would be run on a one year trial basis in order to evaluate the impact on communities.’
