A scheme which will see a number of roads closed to allow children to play in them has been widely welcomed.

The Play Streets scheme, announced yesterday by the council, allows residents to shut their roads to traffic so that children can play safely on the street.

Residents need only come to a consensus over a regular closure time and present the proposal to the council.

Laura Smith, 47, of Betoyne Avenue, Chingford, whose youngest child is 13, said: “I think it’s a brilliant idea.

“It makes the street quiet and for children that do want to play out it makes it nice and sociable.

She said when their street had street parties the children had played with other children who they otherwise would not have met and that the street closures would allow more of this.

The idea comes after a pilot was carried out in Wood Street, Walthamstow, last year and after similar closures for street parties.

Brian Savage, 78, of Larkshall Crescent, Chingford, said: “Playing on the roads used to be an important part of growing up, but there wasn’t all the cars back then.

“I think the more places children have got to play the better and seeing as a lot of open land has gone I think it’s a good thing.”

Another resident, Gail Penfold, 49, of Empress Avenue, South Chingford, who has organised street parties before, said she thought it was a good idea as long as the correct safety measures were taken, including proper and obvious signage.

She added that she worried street activities might be lost to today’s children and wondered how many would know how to chalk out hopscotch.

Councillor Clare Coghill, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said, “We obviously need to make sure traffic can flow through the borough, but there is a good argument to say we have all become something of a hostage to traffic.

“We need to help residents reclaim their streets and use them for more than just driving. If we can encourage more people to use residential streets for walking, cycling, social interaction and playing, then cities will become more sociable, more liveable places for all residents.”

Closures have already taken place or are planned in King Edward Road, Brooke Road, Bunyan Road, Ruby Road, Bedford Road, Luton Road and Badlis Road. When regular closures have been agreed, the Council will help with signs highlighting when play streets will be in force.

Cllr Clyde Loakes, cabinet member for the environment, said: “Playing in the streets is one of those things that people of a certain age remember fondly and it is sad that our kids are not experiencing it enough.

Residents can apply to take part in the scheme by emailing traffic.scheme@walthamforest.gov.uk.