The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has announced that he will close 12 miles of streets in the capital to most traffic on Sunday, September 22.
The areas affected will include Tower Bridge (closed to all traffic), London Bridge (buses only) and much of the City of London.
Eighteen boroughs are also organising events including working with residents to create local ‘Play Streets’ - safe spaces where children can play and communities get together.
The Mayor’s car-free events are called ‘Reimagine’ – giving Londoners and visitors the opportunity to reimagine their city car-free and enabling them to get out and about, enjoying free events across the capital’s streets, it said.
Car Free Day is marked across the world and the Mayor hopes more than 150,000 Londoners will join in London’s Reimagine events, which will help encourage the change in behaviour needed to meet the Mayor’s ambitious target of 80% of all journeys to be taken via sustainable modes of transport by 2041, compared to 63% today.
Khan said: “This will be a great opportunity for us all to leave our cars behind and explore our streets by foot, or by bike.
“We’ve called our range of events ‘Reimagine’ so that Londoners get an idea of what some of the busiest parts of our city would be like without cars and traffic. There will be tons of performances and activities for people of all ages to try and enjoy.
“I encourage as many Londoners as possible to join in the fun and see the city from a different perspective. I will continue to work with those boroughs who are forward-looking and want to think differently about how to use road space. Hopefully this will shame into life those boroughs with outdated views who are dragging their feet.”
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Gareth has more than 20 years’ experience as a journalist having started his career in local newspapers in the 1990s. Prior to joining Fleet News in 2008, he worked in the public sector as a media advisor and is currently news editor at Fleet News.
Louise - 21/06/2019 12:01
I actually think that this is a great idea - especially for children. I may look to see what events are available and take my children into London. As a mum to a child who is asthmatic, I appreciate the Mayor's effects to have cleaner air in the capital. I have had to take my son to hospital after a day trip to the capital after his breathing was effected - and that was after a few hours. We all need to do out bit (and yes I do work in the industry so this may come across as hypocritical.)