WHAT a great idea.

Play Street reclaims the streets from the power, some would say the tyranny, of the car.

St Catherine’s Road in Highcliffe is leading the way, the first in Hampshire. Every month a road closure is put in place on a Friday and the children come out to play safely for an hour or so.

There are so many benefits, too many to list here. Obviously it is great for children, improving their health, nurturing freedom and independence as well as practical skills and tackling obesity.

But for the community as a whole it is a way of making connections, extending friendships, building a sense of community and simply making it a nicer place to live.

It shows that people are more important than cars, always a topic of conversation in Winchester.

The beauty of Play Street is that it is residents-led.

It would be amazing if the idea was not copied in other parts of the city and district. If Highcliffe, why not Winnall, Weeke, Stanmore, Badger Farm, Hyde, Harestock and Fulflood? Kings Worthy, Alresford and Bishop’s Waltham?

Many congratulations to Helen Fisher for starting it and, credit where credit is due, to officers at the city council for supporting it when they could easily have said no.