Member

Much less noticed is the way in which we have lost the informal play spaces: the corners, the spaces where the children can gather and simply interact, maybe without an adult overseeing it. That is really good. If they do not have the space, it is not going to happen. Often, these spaces are treated as expendable. They are sold off. They are packed with infill homes, perhaps. Some places still exist, but they are scattered with drug paraphernalia and choked with litter. I am sure that many noble Lords, like me, have taken part in litter picks in spaces just like that and seen how incredibly inappropriate they are when they should be places for children to play. And, of course, possibly the biggest and worst problem of all is that we have seen our streets taken over by cars, which is where once children used to play.