On 20-22 September 2024, dozens of residential streets in London will become temporary play areas.
World Car Free Day 2024 is celebrated on 22 September across the world, but here in London we're making a long weekend of it. Across the capital, many streets will be closed off to traffic, allowing communities to get together on the tarmac. Space hoppers are optional.
The event is organised by London Play with help from the Mayor of London and Transport for London. Participating streets all do so voluntarily with the full buy-in of residents. It's a chance to see how our streets can be used when the motor car is banished. If you'd like to put your own street forward for the event, then talk to your neighbours and follow the instructions on the London Play website. They'll even provide free space hoppers and other play equipment.
The weekend coincides with the launch of the Windrush Line — TfL's rebranding of the stretch of Overground that loops down from Highbury and Islington to West Croydon, Clapham Junction and the rest. The name, we're told, comes into effect from the 22 September — though no news yet on the other rebrands. It seems that the lines are being introduced one by one, rather than all on the same day.
TfL is keen to piggyback the Windrush launch onto the World Car Free Day event, and is encouraging streets within the nine boroughs the line passes through to "hold carnival-inspired street parties to celebrate". A renamed train line isn't quite "Queen's Platinum Jubilee" level of momentousness, but any excuse for a party, eh?
Happily, Hackney Carnival also takes place on the same day, so residents of that borough will already be in the mood for play.
Find out more about Car Free Day here. Images courtesy of TfL.
