Street Play Days To Double in 2024

Published: 3 October 2023

Street Play days in Glasgow are set to double in 2024.

The scheme, which provides a free road closure for communities so children can play safely in their local street, had been growing in popularity prior to the covid pandemic. This year two weekends - the May and September bank holiday weekends - were allocated for Street Play.

To give Street Play a boost in 2024, a further two weekends will be added to the schedule for late Spring and Summer. Exact dates have still to be confirmed.

Councillor Angus Millar, City Convener for Transport and Climate Change, welcomed the increase in availability in Street Play over the course of the forthcoming year.

Councillor Millar said: "I am very pleased that Street Play is set to grow in 2024. By giving early notice of our plans for next year, we hope to capture the enthusiasm for Street Play that existed before the pandemic as we again match the number of Street Play weekends from 2019. 

"Street Play is a very simple idea. It's all about creating safe places for children to play in their neighbourhood with cars and other vehicles put to one side for a day or two.

"It is an opportunity for children to reclaim the street space that is normally off-limits to them and provide a relaxed environment for people of all ages to bring communities together. I hope neighbourhoods across Glasgow will take advantage of our expanded Street Play programme next year."

Under the Street Play scheme, applicants can apply for a free road closure in their neighbourhood for between 10am and 4pm on a designated day. The cost of insurance to cover a Street Play session is reimbursed through Glasgow Life up to the cost of £147.

Next year's scheme will also look closely at how schools and school communities can benefit from involvement in the Street Play. Using school car free zones for Street Play areas is also being considered. But applications that include commercial activity or a licence of some description are not allowed as part of the scheme.

All dates for Street Play in 2024 are due to be released in January next year.

Further information is available in the committee paper presented at the Environment and Liveable Neighbourhoods City Policy Committee on October 3, 2023,which can found through this link.