Proposals to create safe zones for children to play in streets in the Highlands were last night hailed as a potential weapon in the battle against the region’s rising obesity rate.
The initiative would see designation of roads in communities across the Highlands as “safe play streets”, where vehicle access could be restricted or speed limits lowered.
By recreating a bygone era when children played games on streets, it is hoped that setting up the areas will encourage youngsters to be more active.
One in four Highland children in their first year of primary school were overweight last year, compared with the Scottish average of one in five.
Jamie Stone, MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, who earlier this month called obesity in the Highlands “a ticking timebomb”, last night said: “However we do it, we have got to get children to realise the fun of playing outside and get them away from their computers and gizmos.
“When I was a child I played outside all the time and I was as skinny as a rake. That doesn't happen today.”
Mr Stone, Liberal Democrat public health spokes-man, added: “The fact remains that for whatever reason childhood obesity is not being taken as seriously as it should be by all levels of government.”
Inverness father Anthony Mason, of Glenshiel Place – one of two roads in the city that have been mooted as potential safe streets – said the proposals would give reassurance to parents.
He said: “I don’t let my five-year-old son go out alone and my older son wasn’t allowed out on his own until he was seven. Peace of mind is everything.
“I think it’s a great idea and should be encouraged. Our nearest park only has a slide and the next nearest place is 20 minutes away.
“Den-making is extinct I think, but children should have somewhere to fly a kite or kick a ball around.”
John Finnie, Inverness Ness-side councillor and Highland Council’s SNP group leader, has asked officials to investigate the possibility of establishing the safe play zones.
He said: “This is an opportunity for a new generation of children to experience the safe, outdoor play that many of us took for granted when growing up.
“The steady increase in traffic has seen the gradual decline of safe play areas in streets with many play areas some distance from residential areas.
“Naturally, many streets will be unsuitable. However, this proposal can happen in many locations and give open-air play opportunities for village and town children which those in the Highland countryside already enjoy.
“Safe play streets mean that more children can be encouraged to get away from computer and TV screens and be introduced to community play.”
He added: “Safe streets are a successful approach to improving the environment, safety, health and general well being we want for all our children.”
Angus Dick, a former president of athletics club Inverness Harriers, suggested Glenshiel Place and Kintail Court, both in the Hilton area of the city, could be converted into safe streets.
Mr Dick, of Morvich Way, said: “When I came to Inverness in 1970 there were not many cars, but now some households have two cars. It means parents don’t feel they can let their children safely play on the streets.
“Playing outside keeps children healthy and gives them something to do, stopping them creating trouble.”
A policy proposal submitted to council officers by the SNP group calls for support of the initiative “to encourage outdoor play, promote health and encourage better social skills”.
Officers will be asked to draw up a report, which could become formal council policy if approved by councillors.
Mr Finnie said safe streets could be created in existing communities and as part of new developments.
The high obesity rate in the Highlands has been blamed on a lack of sporting and leisure facilities and a shortage of fresh fruit and vegetables in remote areas.