Sadiq Khan has announced plans to implement London’s biggest car-free day to date closing 12.3 miles of roads in the centre of the capital. The event is said to take place on September 22nd.
Roads will be closed around London Bridge, Tower Bridge and most of the city of London, this is to tackle the capital’s air pollution crisis which kills thousands of people each year. It also leaves two million living in areas which are contaminated with illegal dirty air.
“London is leading the way in innovative measures to improve air pollution and I want this year’s Car Free Day events to be the best of any world city,” says Khan.
It will be the first time a London mayor has closed down large sections of roads in the city centre. People will have to explore the streets by foot or bike. It has been welcomed by campaigners.
Areeba Hamid of Greenpeace UK said: “It’s exciting to see London adopting the idea of having a car-free day, something great cities across the world from Paris to Bogotá have been giving a try … Reducing toxic air pollution and carbon emissions are vital, but they are far from the only benefit of reclaiming our streets.”
Fiona Sutherland from London Play, a charity that campaigns for more opportunities for children to play in the city, said: “[This] will give people the opportunity to witness a transformation on their doorstep. When cars no longer dominate, what we often forget is valuable public space. For a few hours, children, whose lives are most negatively affected by traffic, will take priority. We hope that it will be the beginning of long-term change.”
Hundreds of activities will take place across the closed streets in central London. There are plans to work with residents to create a play streets for children where communities can be together.
This plans come after concerns about the impact of the UK’s poisonous aur which causes 40,000 early deaths a year. London’s air pollution is responsible for 9,000 early deaths each year. More than 50% of London’s air pollution is caused by vehicles and a recent London survey found half of Londoners did not realise cars or vans were the main cause of damaging air pollution.
