Around 200 streets across the capital are being transformed into temporary spaces for play and social gatherings this weekend

Londoners are being encouraged to mark World Car Free Day this Sunday (22nd) with around 200 streets across the capital being transformed into temporary spaces for play and social gatherings.

Play streets are created when neighbours agree together to open their street for play and community – and close it to through traffic – temporarily but regularly. Most councils in London offer residents the opportunity to apply for free.

Once Londoners have enjoyed the experience of seeing their street in a new light it’s hoped many will contact their local councils to ask if their street is suitable for regular play street sessions.

City Hall’s walking and cycling commissioner Will Norman 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.”

London Play is a charity offering participating streets play equipment, including free space hoppers, while campaigning for more and improved out-of-school play services for children and young people across London.

Fiona Sutherland, director at London Play, said: “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. Neighbours meet informally and swap stories.

“Children cycle down their own street for the first time. Laughter rings out. Why have we prioritised cars, parked or moving, over people? How much have we all lost by retreating from that ‘common ground’ outside our homes? Car Free Day brings these questions to the surface.”

For more information:
Visit londonplaystreets.org.uk

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