UK Government Urged to Reduce Residential Road Traffic So Children Can Play Outside

The U.K. government is now called out by outdoor play campaigners to take action so that traffic on residential roads can be reduced.

National charity Playing Out explained that playing outside is essential for kids to have better physical and mental health.

UK Government Urged To Reduce Residential Roads Traffic

(Photo: Anthony Devlin/Getty Images)
Children play football in the street in Burnley town center on July 31, 2020, in Burnley, England.

According to The Guardian's latest report, Playing Out wants to help parents close residential roads so that children can safely play outside the streets.

Alice Ferguson, the co-director of the charity, explained that the danger that traffic poses is the main reason why kids can no longer play outside.

"We need to reclaim the space on children's doorsteps. Children aren't getting the physical exercise they need and their mental health is at breaking point," she added.

Ferguson further stated that Playing Out they established the Playing Out movement to call for urgent action on safer residential streets.

She added that this issue should have urgent action from the U.K. government.

"We need to see rules of 20mph in all residential areas and we need to bring in planning law that considers children need to play outside," explained Ferguson.

Playing Out's efforts to urge the government to take action came after the recent high-profile road incidents, which involved children, happened.

Previously, in Wimbledon, south-west London, a Land Rover crashed through a school fence. The accident lead to a tragedy after two children were killed.

Separate incidents involving motorists also injured four children in Birmingham.

How To Join Playing Out Movement

UK Government Urged To Reduce Residential Roads Traffic So Children Can Play Outside

(Photo: ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images) Catherine Mann, a resident of Ipswich, watches over her two-year-old twins Erin (L) and Brenna (R) as they play outside their house in the Westgate area of Ipswich, in Suffolk, in eastern England, 14 December 2006, as police continue to investigate the deaths of five prostitutes in the County. England's serial killer manhunt has opened a pandora's box of criticism by sex workers.

If you are a parent in the United Kingdom, the best thing you can do to help your children is to join the Playing Out movement.

To do this, you can visit the charity's official website to learn how you can make your residential roads safer.

You can contact the organization by dialing 0117-953-7167 or sending them a message via their email address "hello@playingout.net."

Playing Out was founded in 2009. With the efforts of its leaders and members, its agenda already spread across the United Kingdom and other countries.

You can click this link to learn more about this national charity group.