Play Streets

Children (and adults) can reclaim their streets for a few hours and have fun outdoors, all thanks to a scheme that closes residential streets to through traffic for up to 3 hours at a time.

It is a great way to build community spirit, with parents and residents able to apply to close a street and act as marshals.

It also promotes safer neighbourhoods, helps to reduce air pollution, and encourages outdoor activity, all while having fun.

Organising a Play Street

We make it easy for you to organise your own Play Street by giving you all the equipment you need, such as traffic cones and hi-vis jackets for adult stewards.

Best of all it is free.

Getting started

Play Streets are resident led, which means that the council will support and guide you through setting up a Play Street as much as we can, but ultimately it will be driven by you.   

To find out more and apply for a Play Street event, complete the follow steps:

• talk to your neighbours and see if there is interest - you may be surprised how positive people will be
• once you have got a few friends together, have an initial meeting with fellow organisers who want to set up the Play Street
• email playstreets@ealing.gov.uk to find out if your street is eligible (for example, it must be a residential street with no bus route). We will also provide you with further information and a pack which includes templates and an online survey to send to every address in your street
• once you have your information pack from the council, you are ready to carry out a house-to-house survey with neighbours; you will need to show support for the scheme from most of the residents in the street
• return the collected survey signatures and completed application form by email or post
• if the response is in favour of a Play Street, the council will then apply for a traffic management order on your behalf (this takes 6 to 8 weeks and is permanent once in place)
• when your traffic order is approved, the council will send you a Play Street kit - this will have everything you need (minus the tea and biscuits)
• let everyone know when your first Play Street will take place