Manchester takes steps to encourage outdoor play
31/12/2009 A 20mph speed limit could be imposed on streets in the Greater Manchester area in a bid to make it safer for children to take part in outdoor activities.
The proposal has been put forward by the Greater Manchester Health Commission as part of a plan to tackle childhood obesity.
Fitness levels for children in the UK have dropped eight per cent in the past decade, double the world average. It is thought that the driving force behind this is a decrease in the number of children taking part in outdoor activities.
A representative of the British Heart Foundation recently said that more green spaces were needed to encourage children to play out of doors.
Will Blandamer, director of the Greater Manchester Public Health Network, said: "Twenty mile-per-hour zones have had success elsewhere and now we are asking what else can we do to make areas around schools as safe and pleasant for children as possible?"
The plans would also ban parking outside of school gates to encourage children to walk and cycle to school more.
The proposal has been put forward by the Greater Manchester Health Commission as part of a plan to tackle childhood obesity.
Fitness levels for children in the UK have dropped eight per cent in the past decade, double the world average. It is thought that the driving force behind this is a decrease in the number of children taking part in outdoor activities.
A representative of the British Heart Foundation recently said that more green spaces were needed to encourage children to play out of doors.
Will Blandamer, director of the Greater Manchester Public Health Network, said: "Twenty mile-per-hour zones have had success elsewhere and now we are asking what else can we do to make areas around schools as safe and pleasant for children as possible?"
The plans would also ban parking outside of school gates to encourage children to walk and cycle to school more.
