Active Streets Programme - Let's Play Outside

The Active Streets Programme is a key strategy commitment of our ActiveWestminster Strategy that aims to  improve the health and wellbeing of residents and visitors across the city, by making physical activity more accessible for everyone.

This strategy is in addition to our Open Spaces and Biodiversity Strategy and consists of three types of Active Street which as a Westminster resident or local school, you can apply to host.

The programme is designed to transform residential streets in Westminster into spaces for play, providing opportunities for physical activity right at your doorstep. It helps foster stronger connections with neighbours, encourages active travel, and enhances air quality.

Active St GENERAL INSTA

This Is How It Works...

There are three types of Active Streets.

Street Play

Street Play offers a one-off road closure (Section 16a, Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984) for children and families to play in streets at specified day(s), times and locations. This can be up to three one-off sessions within a 12 month period.

Read the ‘Street Play’ Policy before you apply and keep as reference. 

You must be a Street Maker before the proposed ‘Street Play’ session takes place.

You must also complete and return the indemnity form before we can process your application. Check the Useful Resources section below.

Play Street

Play Street is a semi-permanent session which provides priority over traffic for children and families to play in streets between Monday to Friday (3pm to 7.30pm) and Saturday and Sunday (10am to 7.30pm) between 1 April and 30 September. This is underpinned by Department for Transport legislation (Section 29, Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984).

Our assessment will be based on the proposed streets having a suitable history of Street Play sessions. Read about the three-stage process below. We will contact you with more information about this, once you submit your expression of interest.

School Street

Schools in Westminster can apply for a Pedestrian and Cycle Zone outside school main entrances in one or more roads, or a part of a road (Section 6, Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984) to close motor traffic. They usually operate in the morning and afternoon during school drop-off and collection times, Monday to Friday, term-time only. 

Signs inform drivers of the restrictions before the entrance to the School Street.

If you would like to find out more about what the process and consultation involve, please click the button below to visit the Council’s dedicated page.

Special Requirements to Apply for a Play Street

The Play Street process involves three key stages. First, applicants must conduct initial ‘Street Play’ sessions to introduce and engage the community. Following this, the second stage involves hosting ‘Multiple Street Play’ sessions by invitation, allowing for broader participation and deeper community involvement. Once these stages are successfully completed, applicants can apply for an official ‘Play Street’ establishing a dedicated space where children can play safely and freely on a regular basis.

You Must Become a Street Maker Before Hosting a Session

Whether you are in the process of applying for a ‘Street Play’ session (one-off) or for a ‘Play Street’ (semi-permanent), you are required to complete the StreetMaker training online before any of the proposed sessions take place.  

How Do You Become a Street Maker?

Becoming a StreetMaker is easy. You only need to watch a short online training video and then take a quick online assessment. The process is very simple but equally important. Click the button below to access the training and assessment.

Useful Resources

Here is a bunch of documents and templates that can assist the work of setting up a session. 

List of Locations

We will publish here the list of Active Street sessions when available.

List of Street Play Sessions

Operative only from 1 April to 30 September.

We will publish the list as soon as they are available.

Church Street

MAY 2025

Sunday 12-3pm: 25th May

JUNE 2025

Sunday 2-5pm: 22nd June

JULY 2025

Saturday 2-5pm: 12th July

Lancefield Road

JULY 2025

Wednesday 12-3pm:

  • 23rd Jul
  • 30th July

AUGUST 2025

Wednesday 12-3pm:

  • 6th Aug
  • 13th Aug
Barnsdale Road

AUGUST 2025

Tuesday 4-6pm:

  • 5th August
  • 12th August
  • 19th August
  • 26th August

Saturday 2-6pm:

  • 2nd Aug
  • 9th Aug
  • 16th Aug
  • 23rd Aug
  • 30th Aug

Sunday 2-6pm:

  • 3rd Aug
  • 10th Aug
  • 17th Aug
  • 24th Aug
  • 31st Aug

SEPTEMBER 2025

Tuesday 4-6pm:

  • 2nd Sep
  • 9th Sep
  • 16th Sep
  • 23rd Sep
  • 30th Sep

Saturday 2-6pm

  • 6th Sep
  • 13th Aug
  • 20th Aug
  • 27th Aug

Sunday 2-6pm:

  • 7th Sep
  • 14th Sep
  • 21st Sep
  • 28th Sep

List of Play Street Sessions

Operative only from 1 April to 30 September.

List of current Play Street locations in Westminster.

  • Luton and Fisherton

Play Streets Opening:

  • Northumberland Place – Monday 4th Aug 5-7pm
  • Kilravock Street – Friday 5th Sep 4-6pm
  • Ashmore Road (North) – Saturday 6th Sep 1-4pm

Current list of School Streets

There are 13 permanent School Street locations which can be access clicking the button below.

Operative during school term.

Get in Touch

For any queries regarding our Active Streets programme, please contact us.