A campaign to remove outdated ‘No Ball Games’ signs in London has won the backing of a national governing body.

London Sport’s More Ball Games campaign is aiming to lobby policymakers to take urgent action and remove the signs across the capital to ensure that, regardless of their background and postcode, kids have access to free spaces close to home where they can move, play and be active.

It is a campaign that has won the backing of the England and Wales Cricket Board, with CEO Richard Gould one of 56 signatories of an open letter calling for the removal of the signs across both London and England as a whole.

Data shows that over half of young Londoners do not get the recommended levels of physical activity and are missing out on the vital benefits that come with play and movement, whilst communities with high levels of deprivation are disproportionately affected by limited access to areas for play and recreation.

Over 7,000 ‘No Ball Games’ signs are currently in place in London alone, reinforcing barriers for over half a million young people, with research suggesting that every sign removed will enable 80 children to be active and play outside.

The open letter calls on policymakers, local authorities and housing associations to remove the signs in order to promote play and movement among young people; reimagine public spaces so they are open, inclusive and accessible; and commit to removing systemic barriers that block children from playing, particular in disadvantaged areas.

In London, Haringey Council have removed more than 130 signs from estates since 2015 as part of a London Sport initiative.

Ben Kind, cabinet member for children and families in Lambeth, told the BBC earlier this year that they had removed nearly 100 signs without any pushback from residents.

“In that time, I don't think we've had a complaint about it," he said. “They're a hangover from the ‘70s and the ‘80s. They're not really enforceable. They make people feel unwelcome.

“By taking them down, we're able to make sure that Lambeth is a great place for young people to grow up.

“This is their estate too and they should be able to get out and play where they want to.”

The campaign also calls for a culture shift that places sport and movement at the heart of healthy childhoods and thriving communities.

A petition is also ongoing for members of the public to show their support for the campaign and it can be accessed here.