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

List of Active Street Locations

Find here the list of Active Street sessions when available.

2026 Spring & Summer Coach-Led Activity Timetable

Click the button below to access these spring and summer timetable of organised activities for Play Street and Street Play sessions.

List of Street Play Sessions

Operative all year round.

These sessions must be approved and run on the specific dates that were applied for.

List of Play Street Sessions

Operative only from 1 April to 30 September.

List of current Play Street locations in Westminster.

  • Ashmore Road (North)
  • Kilravock Street
  • Luton and Fisherton
  • Northumberland Place

Current list of School Streets

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

Operative during school term.

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.

What Our Community Says

Resident
I just wanted to say thank you for the play street on Northumberland place. It has been such a good way to get the kids out of the house and active. It has also been instrumental in making friends with neighbours and building a real community spirit. I understand there have been some complaints but for the residents and the children especially it’s been really wonderful.
Resident
I just wanted to drop a quick note as a resident of Northumberland Place to express my gratitude for making our street a Play Street. As you can see from the attached photo (this one of many great mornings outside at the weekend), it has been truly instrumental in bringing children out of their homes to play together in the evenings and at weekends. The interaction, fun, and sense of community it has created is a real joy to see, and something that all of us here are really chuffed about. While we’re aware there has been some pushback from a few neighbours on adjacent streets, which is a shame, we’re determined not to let that detract from what is such a positive initiative. We’ll continue to make every effort to ensure it runs smoothly, and we sincerely hope the scheme can be extended further across the community so that more children and families can benefit. It’s been a wonderful addition to our neighbourhood.
Resident
Generally, everything has been going really well with the play street. It has been used a lot on days when the weather is good. I have been around more at the weekends than after school to see this, due to work, but it is definitely popular with children and their parents alike. I would note that it has also led to adults in the street chatting more than usual (when out supervising), which is a good side-effect.
Resident
I have spoken to more parents and kids in the last 7 days than the last 5 years. Amazing how it brings people together and breaks down boundaries.
Resident
I just wanted to share how wonderful the Street Play initiative on Northumberland Place has been for our family and the wider community. Since it began, my son now plays outside almost every day after school and at weekends, something that simply didn’t happen before given the lack of outdoor space in our homes. It has been fantastic to see him making new friends with children on the street, as well as with families we hadn’t even realised lived nearby. It has also created such a lovely atmosphere for parents, giving us the opportunity to socialise and build relationships with neighbours in a way that feels incredibly welcoming and community focused. One of the nicest things has been seeing families from adjacent streets coming to enjoy it too, which has really helped create a wider sense of connection across the area. The initiative has genuinely transformed the feel of the street and created a warm, safe and sociable environment for local families. We’re incredibly grateful to everyone involved in making it happen. Many thanks.
Resident
It's been such a gift - thank you all for the hard work of putting it in place. When 5 kids ran into my house giggling with joy on Saturday it felt out of a time long gone in the best of ways.

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. 

Get in Touch

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