Fines for parents who let their children have a kickabout

[AB Asks]

It is commonplace to find children having a game of football in the street and surely it's good to see considering the recent uproar over child obesity rates. But a council in Leicester has outlawed the children's games because they pose a 'danger' to the public. Parents of children who live on Utah Street could face a �100 fine if they let their children 'obstruct' the road with temporary goals (jumpers). What do you think? Is this utterly ridiculous or could a kickabout in the street pose major health risks?

[Reverandfunk]

It's a major pain in the ar5e when kids in my street kick the ball agains't cars when there is a small field 2 mins away.

It's not like the 50's when kids could do it because there was no traffic,.

[jenstar]

I would have thought there was rather more danger posed TO the kids rather than BY them. Is Utah Street a new development? I can't find it on Google Maps.

[Gromit]

As per usual, the AB Ed has failed to supply a link to this news item so here is one.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles /news/news.html?in_article_id=458961&in_page_i d=1770

On closer scrutiny, the question is inaccurrate. The children did not have jumpers for goalpost, they had a structure on the street of goalposts and nets and it is easy to see why this is both an hazard and a danger. The Address is Utah Close, and is very near to a park where football can be played safely. The children have also been told not to leave their bikes strewn in the street, which again is fair enough.

I remember playing football in the street, but the whole street environment has changed dramatically since I was young. I don't think it is a safe place to play anymore.

And, there is nothing worse than other people children smashing up your garden with their footballs. I suspect another resident reported them to the council.

[LeMarchand]

Don't have any time for football, nor any sympathy for these kids. There's a difference between an impromptu game on a back street than what appears to be a semi-permanent pitch on a public road. Plus it's pretty annoying to find your wing mirror smashed by a ball without even so much as an apology from child or parent, let alone compensation!

[Reverandfunk]

The kids in my street kept bouncing the ball of my other halfs car so I knocked on one of the kids doors and when the dad came out bounced their ball of his bonnet. Needless to say it hasn't happened again lol.

I think half of it is just pure laziness on the kids park, they had a grassy area about 30 yards away but couldn't be ar5ed.

[Goodsoulette]

Or maybe there parents didn't want them out of sight. The kids play in the cul de sac all the time. As long as the ball isnt banging against my wall after 9pm I dont care.

As far as I could see, they all had drives for their cars. What a miserable lot you are.

[rabbitygirl]

I too lived in a cul de sac where reg footie games were played. The older residents didn't like it and the parents liked to see where their kids were. Sometimes cars got hit and balls rolled into gardens but generally it was accepted. Until that is the neighbour from hell moved in next door. She decided it wasn't on and got one or 2 (definitely that low) to complain to the council. The road was 80%/20% split private/council and they came straight away and put up no ball game signs. The majority neighbours counter complained and they came back and took one down. One screwed on the n from h wall is still there to this day. Eventually this woman (without children) who would grab any ball in the street and take it indoors, sold and moved. She was incidentally, and worrying due to her great dislike of our kids, a teacher! Before we moved some of the next generation were playing ball and my car was hit. I wasn't happy but cant complain and my car isn't young. Live and let live. But older lads who kick balls hard should migrate to the nearest park.

[Reverandfunk]

Soulette I take it you wont moan when I come round with a bill for the dents in my car and the scratches then??