News  »  Playing Out events

Playing Out is a parent and resident led movement restoring children’s freedom to play out in the streets and spaces where they live, for their health, happiness and sense of belonging.

The Greater Cambridge Partnership and Cambridgeshire County Council recognise the benefits of playing out events and are now inviting expressions of interest from residents who would like to temporarily close their roads to traffic to allow children to play safely near their homes during the summer holiday. They have put together a guide to help residents organise and plan a playing out event.

These events are only permitted to take place on quiet residential streets that do not affect the wider road network. They can be held as often as once per week and last for a maximum of three hours during the day.

Cambridgeshire communities interested in closing their road to hold a playing out event for children are urged to get in touch with the GCP and County Council. At this stage, people are encouraged to express their interest by emailing  Highway.events@Cambridgeshire.gov.uk by Friday 14 May, giving details of

• The location of the proposed event
• Organiser’s details
• Proposed frequency of the event

This will help the County Council and GCP plan training and ensure suitable signage is available should interested parties wish to progress to a full application for a Temporary Traffic Regulation Order required to close a road for the event.

Full details about playing out events can be found on the County Council’s website, including the guidance notes.