Just leave the cars out of it

“That’s an outstanding idea.” When it comes to motoring there have been lots of these – electric windows. Great idea. Ford’s plans to let cars talk to each other through WiFi and warn about potential accidents. I take my hat off to them. Closing streets on a Sunday to let children play in them. Monumentally RUBBISH!

I was shaking my head in amazement this week when I read that Public Health Minister, Anne Milton MP proposed that a solution to solving growing levels of obesity among children was to close certain streets on Sundays to that kids could play in them. Apparently they do it in Colombia. Apparently, according to Anne, it’s an outstanding idea. If men are from Mars and women are from Venus then Anne Milton MP must be from planet Snickers because that is the nuttiest thing I have heard in a while.

I still have the scars from many a skinned knee to show for my time playing in the street but my abiding memory of playing in the street was getting told to clear off to the park which, apart from being a far nicer place to run around, had the added advantage of not wrecking your football.

Banning cars from roads has no role to play in solving childhood obesity unless, of course, it’s letting cars ferry families to where they can enjoy leisure pursuits.

Anne Milton did concede that the idea may not work in all areas of the UK. Not in all areas???!!! Where exactly does she think this would work? There is no doubt that childhood obesity is a problem and the figures speak for themselves – two thirds of children will be obese by 2050 if current trends continue. Coming up with a slightly barmy idea trivialises the problem and is akin to blowing off your big toe while attempting to shoot the pheasant.

Good ideas are needed to solve problems and Anne would be better to focus on opening up green areas, investing in leisure centres and getting businesses involved in supporting sport and leisure. Just leave the cars out of it.

All the best

Mike