Cllr Denise Scott-McDonald, Cabinet Member for Air Quality, Public Realm and Transport, joined children and campaigners taking part in a ‘hop past’ outside City Hall on the 3 May to launch a London-wide Play Street Pledge ahead of World Car Free Day. London’s Walking and Cycling Commissioner, Will Norman, and Deputy Mayor for Transport, Heidi Alexander, alongside London leaders called for Londoners to organise their own play street this September.
Representatives from 16 London boroughs including Greenwich signed up to a pledge committing them to promoting, supporting and approving as many play streets in their boroughs as they can to mark the global event. It’s hoped at least 200 streets across the capital will be transformed into temporary play spaces on Sunday 22 September, which is World Car Free Day.
Play streets are simple, resident-organised events where neighbours on a road agree together to close their street temporarily, but regularly, to through traffic. This allows children to play, while adults watch and get to know each other better over a cup of tea. They are already happening all over London and further afield – and offer an easy way for people to participate in Car Free Day.
Cllr Denise Scott-McDonald, Cabinet Member for Air Quality, Public Realm and Transport, said:
“All kids should have the chance to play freely and safely on their doorstep. Not only is taking part in Play Streets a great way to get children active and have lots of fun it also brings together neighbours and fosters friendlier and safer communities.”
Charity London Play has been leading the capital’s play street revival for the past decade and Transport for London is providing funding that will enable it to help more Londoners to trial play streets on Car Free Day. It is hoped that the experience of seeing their street in a new light, as valuable community space rather than parking space for cars, will inspire many to go on to apply for regular play street closures following the September event.
Anyone who wants to see their street become a play space on Car Free Day will need to consult their neighbours and apply to the Council well in advance of the day. The launch of the pledge is timed to inspire people to act sooner rather than later.
Applying is free and London Play will help by advising on the various procedures; supporting with materials for promoting and consulting on play streets; and for early applicants, providing play equipment to kick start the fun. Additionally, all streets taking part will go into a prize draw to win an on street go kart building session.
Paul Hocker, director of London Play said: “For 364 days a year the car is king in the capital, but on September 22 it’s all change. Car Free Day brings clean air, community fun and play on the street to London. The response from people last year to get involved was overwhelming. London Play expects to be overwhelmed again this year and we can’t wait.”
The Mayor of London has also committed to work with boroughs and community organisations to deliver the biggest Car Free Day London has ever seen – much larger than what other cities have managed to achieve so far.
Will Norman, London’s Walking and Cycling Commissioner, said: “I’m really pleased that our support for London Play will help people swap their car-dominated roads for play streets on World Car Free Day. Transforming neighbourhoods gives Londoners the opportunity to get to know their neighbours, strengthening their community. It will also help build on our work to reduce reliance on cars and clean up our toxic air.”