Image of a cartoon child holding a lollipop sign which says 'SLOW DOWN PLAY STREET'
Project

Proposal - Barnsdale Road (Consultation now closed - 14th July - 7th September 2025)

Active Westminster Play Streets

Our proposals - Barnsdale Road

Background

In Summer 2020, Westminster City Council introduced a temporary Covid-19 Play Streets scheme on the following roads as a part of temporary measures during the Covid-19 pandemic:

  • Ashmore Road (between Kilburn Lane and Marban Road)
  • Kilravock Street (between the junction of Fifth Avenue and Sixth Avenue),
  • Marne Street (between the junction of Fifth Avenue and Third Avenue),
  • Northumberland Place, and
  • Peach Road

As a result of the temporary Play Street scheme, Westminster City Council proposed to make these semi-permanent Play Streets through Traffic Management Orders.  

Further locations were then also selected to be taken forward as part of the Traffic Management Orders:

  • Ashmore Road (between Shirland Road and Riverton Close),
  • Chippenham Mews, and
  • Ranelagh Road

The consultation period for these streets took place in the autumn of 2024. Following a rigorous evaluation and resident consultation of the proposed Play Streets Westminster City Council will be implementing the following Play Streets:

  • Ashmore Rd, Queens Park ward (Northern section between Marban Rd and Kilburn Lane)
  • Kilravock St, Queens Park ward
  • Northumberland Place, Bayswater ward

Westminster City Council is now consulting on the possibility of Barnsdale Road becoming a Play Street.

The Active Streets Programme is a key strategy commitment of our ActiveWestminster Strategy 2024 – 2028  

Easy read version can be found here: Easy read ActiveWestminster Strategy 2024-2028

Barnsdale Road Proposal (this consultation)

A Play Street provides priority over traffic for children and families to enable them to play in the designated streets. This is underpinned by Department for Transport legislation (Section 29, Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984).

A Play Street provides an opportunity for all community members, especially children, to enjoy a safe and vibrant outdoor space for play, social interaction and fun. A Play Street is open to all, regardless of where they live. Parents will be responsible for their own children as normal.

Opening up streets for all children to play and for the community to get together has been shown to build a higher sense of trust and belonging, allowing people of all ages and walks of life to connect with each other and lead active, healthy and happy lives.

The Play Street would give pedestrians priority over traffic during the Spring and Summer months each year.

Pedestrians would have priority over traffic during the following times:

  • Monday to Friday (between 1 April to 30 September) – Play Street would be in operation between 3pm and 7.30pm except for access.
  • Saturdays & Sunday (between 1 April to 30 September) – Play Street would be in operation between 10am and 7.30pm except for access.

Only through-traffic is banned from the streets (including bicycles). Residents and visitors can drive in and out during these sessions, provided they stick to driving at walking pace (around 5mph).

Map showing Barnsdale in red. The WECH community centre and Queen Elizabeth school are shown with black icons

The following images show the signage that would be displayed explaining the timings of the street-closure (except for access).

Street signage warning drivers of the Play Street would be installed at either end of Barnsdale Road, on both sides of the road and in both directions for vehicles looking to enter the street. Signage would state the speed limit and operational times of the play street.

Street signage warning drivers of the Play Street and 20MPH speed limit.
Painted road markings warning drivers of the Play Street and 20MPH speed limit

Electronic variable advance warning signs would be installed on the north and south sides of the Barnsdale Road junction on Fernhead Road and Walterton Road.

Sign 1 warns drivers of a 'Play Street'

Sign 2 warns driver to 'Slow Down'


Please drop in to one of our events:

Event 1*

Street Play event on Barnsdale Road. Design Team Staff will be available to discuss the Play Street proposals, while children and adults are playing:

 22nd July 4pm-6pm, Barnsdale Road (outside)

*subject to weather, please check this website on the day for any updates, especially if rain is forecast

Event 2

Drop-in. Design Team Staff will be available to discuss the Play Street proposals with you (children welcome):

22nd August 10.30am-1.30pm, WECH Community Centre - Selbourne House, Ground Floor, 36A Elgin Avenue, London W9 3AZ

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