London is temporarily transforming its streets into play and social gathering spaces this weekend for World Car Free Day.
From today (20 September) until Car Free Day on 22 September, 200 of the capital’s roads will close to enable thousands of Londoners to play, walk, cycle and spend time with their neighbours.
Car Free Day is a global celebration when towns and cities allow people to experience streets free from motor traffic and people are encouraged to travel without their cars.
“The Mayor and I are committed to enabling even more Londoners to incorporate walking and cycling into their daily lives,” London Deputy Mayor for Transport Seb Dance told Zag Daily. “To mark World Car Free day in London we are encouraging drivers to give up their cars for the day so that local streets can be transformed into safe spaces for people to play, walk, wheel, cycle and have fun.
“I encourage all Londoners to get involved and reclaim their streets with this fantastic initiative, which supports our aim for a greener, fairer London for everyone.”
London Play, an organisation which promotes children’s right to play and campaigns for improved out-of-school play services, is offering play equipment such as free space hoppers to participating streets over the weekend.
With funding from Transport for London and the Mayor of London, the organisation has given £5,625 worth of free play equipment to the first 75 streets that applied to take part in the celebrations, with each play kit valued at £75.
“Seeing their own street used for playful social interaction can really flip a switch for some people and they start to realise what, as a society, we have given up to cars, parked or moving. More so children, who have been denied the freedom that earlier generations had to play out on their doorstep,” London Play Director Fiona Sutherland told Zag Daily.
“Around 80% of public space is made up of streets and in a city like London where space is at a premium, this is a valuable community asset which has been almost totally surrendered to private cars. Play streets can help tip the balance back in favour of streets for everyone.”
Stations along the London Overground line will also participate in the activities, with Dalston junction to host a carnival-themed DJ set and Hackney to bring back its Hackney Carnival.
It’s hoped that the celebrations will encourage Londoners to contact their local councils after the event to apply for play streets, which is when their street temporarily but regularly closes to traffic and opens to the community.
