Come along to this free online information session to find out how the Playing Out scheme works in St Albans District and how you can close your own residential street for play and community building up to 8 times a year.

Format

The event will be in the format of an online Zoom presentation by one of the Playing Out St Albans District team followed by a chance for you to ask questions about the scheme and explore how it could work on your street.

If you prefer an in-person event, please come along to one of the events in our Meet Your Neighbours Collection marked IN PERSON, or if none are shown contact us.

ABOUT PLAYING OUT.

Would you like to see your kids playing outside your own house? Would you like to meet neighbours and build support networks in your community?

Playing Out St Albans District (a Sustainable St Albans project) is delighted to be working with St Albans District Council to manage the Playing Out scheme in the St Albans District.

Playing Out is a nation-wide concept where residents choose to apply to close their road to through traffic to allow the children to come out onto the street and cycle, scoot and play together in the road. It is a fabulous way to build communities, offering neighbours a chance to meet and chat while children get the opportunity to get fresh air and exercise, as well as learn to play in an unstructured manner with other children of all ages.

Road closures for Playing Out purposes have what they call a “permeable barrier”. Closure points are stewarded by volunteer residents in high viz jackets. Their job is to escort any resident vehicles into the closed area if they need access to minimise neighbour inconvenience. All through traffic is diverted. So if you live in the closed area and you need to go out or come in with your car, you absolutely can.

In St Albans District, you may close your road in this way up to 8 times a year for 3 hours each time. There is no charge to residents.

See our website at www.sustainablestalbans.org/playingout for more information.

FAQs

1. Who can attend these information sessions?

Residents from the City and District of St Albans can attend the sessions (including residents of Harpenden, Wheathampstead, Redbourn, London Colney and Sandridge). Suitable streets to close for Playing Out are non-bus routes in St Albans District.

2. What should I bring to the information session?

No need to bring anything, though you may wish to have had a look at our website at www.sustainablestalbans.org/playing-out before you come.

You may wish to talk to your neighbours to see if someone would be interested in setting up a scheme in your road with you and might fancy coming along too.

3. I can no longer attend the session. How can I contact the organiser with any questions?

Places at the sessions are limited so please email playingout@sustainablestalbans.org to let us know. We will then be able to offer your place to someone else.

4. What is Sustainable St Albans

Sustainable St Albans is a charity (no 1173118), run by volunteers, which encourages people to do local, practical things to live more sustainably. Playing Out St Albans District is one of the charity’s projects.

5. Will my personal data be retained?

When you sign up, you will be invited to join our mailing list for Playing Out St Albans District. You can ask us to delete your contact details at any point by sending an email to playingout@sustainablestalbans.org. You can view our Privacy Policy on our website.

6. Any other queries?

You can contact Sophie, the Playing Out project co-ordinator, at playingout@sustainablestalbans.org.