Some residential Christchurch streets will be temporarily closed to traffic and turned into play areas for children in a series of “pop-up events” funded by the Government.

Christchurch City Council has received a grant of just over $39,000 from NZ Transport Agency.

The funds comes from the Government’s “Innovating Streets for People pilot” fund.

The project was spearheaded by Associate Transport Minister Julie Anne Genter.

It is being led by Sport Canterbury, and cycling advocacy group ViaStrada.

12 “Play Streets events” will held in the city by temporarily closing one street to traffic and “inviting the local community to get together so children of all ages can scoot, bike and play safely.”

Councillor Chair Mike Davidson said during the Alert Level 4 lockdown when there were fewer cars around many children were able to use their local street more, decorating pavements with chalk art, playing sport and riding their bikes.

“By introducing the Play Streets concept in Christchurch we hope to give families the opportunity to experience the streets free of traffic for a short time, and make them a lively shared space for learning and connecting.”

In a statement the Council said each event would last for between two and four hours and the timing will be arranged with the community.

There will be temporary restrictions on vehicle movements through the street for residents, as vehicles are not permitted to travel through a road closure except for emergency vehicles. 

The locations for the project will be finalised over the coming weeks.

“Play Streets” will be held over the summer from December 2020 through to February 2021.