World Car Free Day: Nearly 30 more road closures announced for this weekend

Nearly 30 more road closures have been announced in London this Saturday as roads across the capital go car-free in a bid to encourage Londoners to reclaim their streets.

People are being urged to ditch their cars in honour of World Car Free Day on Saturday, which will see roads from Ealing to Hackney closing to all motorists.

The extra road closures announced by Richmond Council brings the current total up to nearly 80, with roads from Hackney to Ealing set to be affected.

Whittaker Avenue and Crown Road are two of the major streets in Richmond which will go car-free as part of the initiative, supported by both the Mayor and Transport for London.

The car-free day in the capital is being run by London Play, a charity that works to give children the freedom to play by shutting roads to traffic for a few hours each week or month.

They aim to offer a safe place for children to play, as well letting Londoners “temporarily reclaim” their street and “build friendships and communities”, a spokeswoman for the charity said.

Support for the car-free initiative also comes as the Mayor and TfL continue with efforts to make the capital’s communities greener, healthier and more attractive places.

Overall, 28 additional roads in Richmond have been added to the list of closures, which councillor Alexander Ehmann said will turn the streets into more rich and rewarding spaces.

Cllr Ehmann, cabinet member for transport, streetscene and air quality, said: “We have a wonderful set of parks and open spaces in Richmond upon Thames.

“But [this will] turn the street outside our homes into a more rich and rewarding space, one that brings communities together and allows young people to laugh, play and have fun.

“Roads can sometimes feel like hostile places for vulnerable residents, and particularly young people in our borough. September 22 will see many of our streets filled with the sound of children playing, rather than the hum of car engines, as around 30 local streets have signed up to take part.”

The council will also be hosting their own play street activities in Whittaker Avenue and Crown Road with entertainment and games as well as environmentally friendly advice.

Which additional roads will close for World Car Free Day?

Richmond

• Lancaster Park (10am to 2pm)

• Whittaker Avenue (11am to 4pm)

• Lorne Road (2pm to 6pm)

• Manor Park (1pm to 5pm)

• Sydney Road (1pm to 5pm)

Barnes

• Treen Avenue (1.30pm to 5pm)

• Westfields Avenue (1pm to 4pm)

East Sheen

• Holmesdale Avenue (12pm to 4pm)

• Palmerston Road (1.30pm to 5.30pm)

Ham

• Lawrence Road (2pm to 6pm)

Hampton

• Grenville Mews (1pm to 5pm)

• Jillian Close (2pm to 6pm)

Teddington

• Avenue Road (2pm to 4pm)

• Coleshill Road (2pm to 6pm)

• Fairfax Road (1.30pm to 5.30pm)

• Kingsmead Close (11am to 3pm)

Whitton

• Constance Road (1pm to 5pm)

• Rydal Gardens (12.30pm to 4.30pm)

Twickenham

• Albion Road (2pm to 6pm)

• Crown Road (11am to 4pm)

• The Barons (10.30am to 2.30pm)

• Crane Road (1pm to 5pm)

• Gould Road (10.30am to 2.30pm)

• Devon Avenue (1pm to 5pm)

• Heathfield North (2pm to 6pm)

• Knowle Road (3pm to 7pm)

• Park House Gardens (2pm to 6pm)

• Talma Gardens (2pm to 6pm)

• Tayben Avenue (11am to 2pm)