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Westminster Council

Two More New Play Streets Are Coming Too Westminster This September!

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Two More New Play Streets Are Coming to Westminster This September!

We’re delighted to announce the launch of two more Play Streets this September, creating safe and welcoming spaces for children to play outside their homes, get active, and connect with their community.

Play Streets are designed to increase opportunities for play and physical activity, reduce traffic, and strengthen neighbourhood connections. These two new Play Streets are just the start, with more due to open across Westminster in the future.

Family Fun at the Play Street Openings

We’d love you to join us as we celebrate the launch of Westminster’s newest Play Streets with fun activities for the whole family.

There’ll be active games and sessions with Everyone Active, plus the chance for children to build their confidence on two wheels with Cycle Confident and keep their bikes in top shape with Dr Bike.

  • Kilravock Street, W10 4HX, on Friday 5th September between 4pm – 6pm
  • Ashmore Road (North), W9 3DD on Saturday 6th September between 1pm – 4pm

Bring your family, friends, and neighbours along to play, ride, and celebrate the start of even more Play Streets across Westminster!

Want to bring a Play Street to your neighbourhood? Click the button below to find out how!

Bring Play To Your Street

A Street Transformed: Northumberland Place Play Street Launches

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A Street Transformed: Northumberland Place Play Street Launches

On Monday 4th August 2025, Northumberland Place (W2 5BS) was officially transformed into Westminster’s newest Play Street and what a great success it was!

Families and neighbours turned out to enjoy a car-free street buzzing with play, creativity, and community spirit. Highlights from the launch included:

  • Playful games and friendly competition
  • Scooting, cycling, and free play for all ages
  • Neighbours connecting and celebrating a shared community space
  • Special guests to help us celebrate including the Lord Mayor and Councillor Cara Sanquest 

Transforming streets, one at a time

Northumberland Place will regularly be closed to traffic during set times on evenings and weekends, creating a safer, community-driven space for families to play, connect, and enjoy the outdoors.

Next, the scheme will expand to Kilravock Street (W10) and Ashmore Road (W9) in Queens Park this September:

  • Kilravock Street: Friday 5 September, 4–6pm
  • Ashmore Road: Saturday 6 September, 1–4 pm

Each launch is another step towards turning busy streets into vibrant neighbourhood spaces where children can play safely and communities can come together.

A resident-led movement with real impact

Led by residents and supported by local volunteers, Play Streets are transforming urban streets into friendly, active place. This initiative coordinated by Westminster City Council, forms part of the wider Active Streets Programme and marks a fourfold increase in Play Streets since the first one was designated (Luton and  Fisherton Street) in 2019 

By reducing traffic, Play Streets aim to:

  • Create safer play areas
  • Encourage stronger community connections
  • Promote physical activity and children’s wellbeing
  • Support cleaner, greener neighbourhoods

The bigger picture

Northumberland Place is conveniently located near Shrewsbury Road’s permanent School Street, one of 13 such schemes across the borough. School Streets close roads during school drop-off and pick-up times, enabling safer, cleaner travel for families.

A huge thank you to everyone – families, neighbours, volunteers, and councillors, and of course the Lord Mayor who made the Northumberland Place launch such a joyful transformation of a street into a vibrant, shared community space.

Want to learn more or apply to host your own Play Street? Visit the Active Streets page to get all the details and application info

Bring Play to Your Street

Let Play Begin At Northumberland Place!

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Let the Play Begin at Northumberland Place!

We’re gearing up for the exciting launch of Westminster’s newest Play Street at Northumberland Place, W2 5BS.

Join us on Monday 4 August 2025, from 5–7pm for the official launch event. It will be a free, fun-filled evening where the street will be transformed into a safe, car-free space for children to play and neighbours to connect.

This is the first of three new Play Streets being introduced across Westminster as part of a resident-led initiative supported by Westminster City Council and partners. It’s all about creating safer, more Active Streets for our communities to enjoy.

What is a Play Street?

If you don’t already know, Play Streets are temporary, resident-organised closures that turn streets into places for play, community and creativity—making neighbourhoods healthier, safer, and more social for everyone.

Get ready to play and connect!

Here’s what you can expect when you join us:
  • Space to scoot, cycle, draw and play
  • Games, chalk art, and community fun
  • A chance to meet neighbours and celebrate the space together

Come along, bring your family, and experience how a local street can become a shared space full of colour, energy and connection.

More Play Streets Coming Soon

Northumberland Place is just the beginning! Keep an eye on our website and socials for updates on when the other Play Streets are launching – we’ve got another two in the pipeline!

Bring Play Streets To Your Neighbourhood!

Celebrate World Environment Day By Recycling For A Cause At Paddington Recreation Ground!

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  • News Post

Celebrate World Environment Day By Recycling For A Cause At Paddington Recreation Ground!

 

This World Environment Day (5 June), join the global movement to #BeatPlasticPollution by taking action right here in Westminster.

Our Reverse Vending Machine in the Pavilion at Paddington Recreation Ground is ready for your single-use plastic bottles and aluminium cans. And every item you deposit it helps both the planet and our local community.

Installed following a recommendation from Westminster’s Climate Assembly and brought to life through the Westminster Innovations Challenge, this machine is a smart solution to reduce waste and do some good

Why it Matters

Recycling aluminium saves 95% of the energy needed to make new cans. Recycling just one plastic bottle can power a light bulb for up to 6 hours. It also keeps harmful waste out of our streets, rivers, and green spaces.

Support North Paddington Youth Club

  • Deposit your cans and bottles into the machine at Paddington Rec.
  • 10p per item goes directly to North Paddington Youth Club.
  • Reach 2,500 items and Everyone Active will donate an extra £500! So far this year we have had 496. 

Why Some Items May be Rejected

To make sure your recycling counts, it’s important to follow a few simple rules. The most common reason for rejected items is missing barcodes—often because they’re part of a multipack where the barcode is only on the outer wrapping.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the top rejection reasons:

  • No barcode 
  • Double bottle inserted 
  • Shape error
  • Unrecognised barcode 
  • Bottle pulled out before scanning
  • Material error
  • Bin full – please notify staff if this happens

** Top tip: Make sure each item has a clear barcode and is inserted one at a time to ensure it’s accepted! **

Find the Reverse Vending Machine in the pavilion at Paddington Recreation Ground today – and be part of of a local effort to protect the planet and support local youth. 

Let’s recycle smart, support our community and #BeatPlasticPollution together.

Turn Off The Engine, Turn Up The Play! Barnsdale Road Becomes A Play Street This Summer

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Turn Off The Engine, Turn Up The Play! Barnsdale Road Becomes A Play Street This Summer

Barnsdale Road W9 is swapping cars for community and fun this summer and you’re all invited! Sessions start on Tuesday 10th June.

Thanks to Happy Lizzy Event Planning (HLEP!), the street will be transformed into a safe, car-free zone where kills where kids rule the road and neighbours and community folks can come together and connect. It’s all part of our Play Street Sessions, designed to give children the freedom they deserve to play and explore with no fear on their doorstep.

Ready, Set, Play!

Here’s the Plan:
  • Kids reclaim their street for safe, free play on: Tuesdays: 10, 17 & 24 June and 15 & 22 July between 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
  • Facilitated by the trusty team at Happy Lizzy
  • Parents hang back and relax responsible while little ones run the show and have some fun
  • Absolutely no traffic during sessions – play first, cars later!
  • Resident and delivery access is still allowed, with more care
  • A small request: Please help us clear the space you can and move your car during the session times if possible 

Let’s bring play back to the street. Whether you want to toss a ball around, jump rope, or just cheer, everyone is welcome!

 

For more info call: 07867 803 081

Make Your Street a Play Street!

Bring Your Community Together with Westminster’s Community Events Fund

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Bring Your Community Together with Westminster’s Community Events Fund

Westminster City Council is offering grants of up to £2,500 or £5,000 for collaborative projects to support community-led events that celebrate culture, promote cohesion, and encourage collective reflection. 

Who can apply

Eligible applicants include registered charities, CICs, and individuals affiliated with Westminster-based groups. Funding can cover venue hire, event staffing, refreshments, and other related costs.

girls enjoying a fun community event

Qualification criteria

To qualify, events must be:

  • Free
  • Running on single-day and most importantly
  • Inclusive – Private parties, political activities, and profit-making events are not eligible.
Get the full fund details and eligibility criteria on Community Events Fund on the Westminster City Council website.
 

Apply now and make your event happen!

Start Your Application