"CONCERNING" new figures show that children in Bradford are spending less time outdoors.

In the district just 12.4 per cent of people use outdoor space for exercise or to improve their health, five per cent below the national average (17.9 per cent).

And a new report by Bradford Council reveals that people in the most deprived areas of the district have some of the worst access to green spaces.

The report - Improving health and wellbeing through green space and green infrastructure, also details what is being done to get more people out into Bradford's parks and open spaces.

Suggestions include making it easier for communities to temporarily close roads to allow "play street" days in areas where there is little access to green spaces.

The report is being discussed by the Council's Regeneration and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee later today.

Among the figures included in the report is a study by the Woodland Trust, which shows that only eight per cent of people in the District have accessible woodland within 500 metres of their home, compared to 17 per cent on average across England.

It says: "Reviews of local, national and international evidence show that people, particularly children, who live close to a traditional urban park are likely to experience higher wellbeing benefits than people who live close to open space in urban areas that has little or no greenery.

"New studies published this year, including local evidence from the Born in Bradford Programme have added to this evidence base."

Studies have found that the amount of time children spend outdoors has been falling in recent years. The report says: "The significant decline in time spent outside for children and teenagers over a five year period was noted last year. This is concerning given the level of child obesity in the district and the association between time spent outside playing and increased physical activity levels, which help children to maintain healthy weight."

It adds: "The quality and perceived safety of green space is absolutely key to whether or not people are happy to use it, meaning that some areas of green space are likely to be under-used and the public may not be getting the maximum benefit from them.

"There is strong evidence that higher-deprivation areas have less green space, making it harder for people to experience the benefits associated with regular and easy access."

It says people in the North of the district, including Shipley, Bingley and Ilkley areas, have access to quality parks, but many people in the South of Bradford have to travel further to access green spaces.

The report suggests the council could "bring small areas of unused urban space into community use and to decide a clear purpose for them, perhaps as ‘micro-parks’ or ‘parklets’ in areas where green space is lacking.

"The quality and perceived safety of green space is absolutely key to whether or not people are happy to use it, meaning that some areas of green space are likely to be under-used and the public may not be getting the maximum benefit from them."

The report points out the numerous activities held across the district to encourage more people to use their local parks and greenspaces. These include Park Runs that take place in numerous parks - most recently introduced to Cliffe Castle Park in Keighley, regular cycle events, and "green mile" running tracks in public areas across the district.

"Daily mile" running sessions also take place in 37 schools across the district.

The Council has bid for funding for new green space along the Canal Road corridor and for improvements to Horton Park.

The committee will meet in City Hall at 5.30pm today.