This weekend, Londoners will have the chance to experience car-free streets as part of World Car Free Day, running from Friday, 20 September to Sunday, 22 September. Around 200 streets across the capital will be closed to traffic, transforming into spaces for play and social gatherings.
The initiative is being supported by the Mayor of London, Transport for London (TfL), and London Play. Participating streets will receive play equipment, such as space hoppers, courtesy of London Play. A neighbourhood in Wandsworth will also host a mini-carnival, featuring a ‘Karnival Kart’ building workshop and parade.
Stations along the future London Overground Windrush line will take part in the celebrations, with Dalston Junction station featuring a carnival-themed DJ set. In Hackney, the Hackney Carnival will return on Sunday, 22 September, after a five-year break. The free event will showcase a street parade with local carnival groups.
In Hounslow, the Council will lead a guided cycle ride on the newly opened stretch of Cycleway 9, starting at Watermans Park and ending at Alexandra Road in Brentford. The event will take place on Friday, 20 September, from 15:00 to 17:00. On Sunday, 22 September, Hounslow High Street will host activities from 13:00 to 16:00 in celebration of Car Free Day.
Will Norman, London’s Walking and Cycling Commissioner, said: “World Car Free Day is an important moment to celebrate the progress we’ve made in building more liveable neighbourhoods, and embracing a different vision for our streets. The Mayor and I are delighted to once again be supporting the activation of play streets on Car Free Day, a unique opportunity to transform streets into playful and social spaces where the whole community can come together to scoot, bike, walk, space hop and socialise safely.”
Emma Strain, Customer Director at TfL, encouraged Londoners to take part: “Londoners of all ages should join the fun and enjoy car free streets across London this weekend. Customers travelling on what will become the London Overground Windrush line will also see Dalston Junction station join the carnival-themed celebrations as well.”
Fiona Sutherland, Director at London Play, added: “London Play is delighted to be helping residents across the capital experience their streets as places for playful community interaction this Car Free Day. Even temporarily, seeing what happens when the cars stop can prompt a powerful shift in people’s perceptions about the potential uses of street space.”
Residents are encouraged to consider regular play street sessions in their areas after this weekend, contributing to improved mental health, air quality, and road safety.
For more information, contact London Play via info@londonplay.org.uk or call 0203 384 8513.
Chris Mitchell is the founder and editor of Harrow Online, Harrow’s leading local news platform.
He launched Harrow Online in 2010 as a Facebook page sharing local news and information. Since then, it has grown into a trusted source for breaking news, crime, council decisions, planning, transport, business and community stories across the borough.
Harrow Online reaches hundreds of thousands of readers each month and has a social media audience of more than 200,000 followers.
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