Today I’m talking about play streets and what we can learn from implied play streets, ahead of Monday’s Webinar with @playingout. Can we have 24x7 play streets? Can they really be safe? [THREAD 1/14] 
I believe that many residential streets could and should be designated as permanent play streets where children can play in the road and pedestrians have priority over cyclists who have priority over motor vehicles. All the time. [2/14]
Some people object, saying that streets will always be for cars and it’s just dangerous to think otherwise. All you’ll get is more accidents and more children killed on our roads, they say. It’s a fair challenge. [3/14]
But there is good news. These permanent play streets already exist in the UK. In fact you probably have one near you. They aren’t signed as play streets because they don’t need to be. They just work.
Let’s look at how and why they work. [4/14]
Let’s look at how and why they work. [4/14]
These implied play streets have several characteristics in common:
1. They are short residential roads – no space to go fast
2. They are narrow. Wide enough for two cars or a delivery van but no more
[5/14]
1. They are short residential roads – no space to go fast
2. They are narrow. Wide enough for two cars or a delivery van but no more
[5/14]
3. The road surface looks distinctive, signalling the difference
4. There is no pavement, or a limited pavement
5. No lines are painted on the road
6. The road entrance signals a change
[6/14]
4. There is no pavement, or a limited pavement
5. No lines are painted on the road
6. The road entrance signals a change
[6/14]
You could put up Play Street signs, but they aren’t needed. The street design is sufficient to ensure that pedestrians have priority and children can play safely in the road. [7/14]
So the big question is..can we convert regular residential streets into permanent play streets? If money is no object then sure: convert the pavements into tree-lined grass verges, replace the tarmac with setts and use planters and benches to narrow the road. Job done. [8/14]
But suppose we don’t have piles of cash to throw around. Is there a safe way to convert existing roads to permanent play streets without spending a fortune? I believe there is, but it needs research and trials to find the best approach. [9/14]
Limited signage will be helpful, especially at the entrance to the street. If we legally make it a pedestrian/cycle street with vehicles allowed in for access only, we can sign that. [10/14]
We can also put signs within the scheme, though if a driver doesn’t slow down for an actual child, putting a sign up or some paint on the road isn’t going to make much difference. Those signs are more about signalling to children and pedestrians. [11/14]
Use street furniture like planters and benches to physically narrow the roads. Take out centre lines. Plant more trees on the pavement or, if it’s wide enough, by the side of the road. [12/14]
If the road is just a little too long and straight, see if there’s an opportunity to use a modal filter. Maybe cars have to take a slightly longer way round on an estate. [13/14]
All of these are low-cost interventions that can be easily trialled on shorter residential roads. We can see what works: the objective is to actually get more kids playing outside and enjoying themselves. We can do this! [14/14]
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