Livingstone promises a more child friendly London
The Mayor of London Ken Livingstone said today he was keen to ensure that London becomes more child friendly.
Speaking today at Trafalgar Square Mr Livingstone said he was pleased that policy makers were “beginning to wake up” to the problems of children’s play.
Trafalgar Square was turned into a giant playground to mark national Playday, and hosted a free day of activities including Indian dancing, face painting and hopscotch.
Launching a draft guide to “Preparing Play Strategies” Mr Livingstone said: “There should be high quality provision for play in every neighbourhood and this guide aims to provide a framework for developing local play opportunities within a regional context.”
He pledged to use his strategic powers, including transport and planning, to improve the range, quality and diversity of play and outdoor activity as part of his overall strategic goal to make London more child friendly.
Addressing the audience of children and their parents, Mr Livingstone said: “I am delighted that we’re beginning to wake up to the problems of children’s play.”
He reflected that in the past there were a wide range of facilities and organised activities for children, but observed that “so much of that has gone”.
The Mayor also acknowledged that parents felt less comfortable with letting their children play outside given the dangers inherent in modern society, such as fears about personal safety and traffic.
“That’s what we’re about to change”
He predicted that the “biggest change will come from bringing back the bobby on the beat”.
A recent ICM survey of young people in London found that 50 per cent said the key to improving London was to have something to do, and a third mentioned that they needed to feel safer in their local area.
Today’s guide, which is now open for consultation, will look at the range of activities on offer in the city, both informal and formal, whether there is sufficient provision for all age groups and how easily accessible by public transport the locations are.
