Thousands enjoy Car Free Day

Families flocked to Roman Road Market as Tower Hamlets residents joined cities around the world in celebrating Car Free Day on Sunday 22 September.

People took to the streets for walking, cycling and a range of free fun activities to show the potential of traffic-free public spaces for everyone to enjoy.

Housing estates in Bromley-by-Bow, Spitalfields and Poplar also took part in events, helping to create more than 400 play streets across the capital.

John Biggs, Mayor of Tower Hamlets, said: “It was fantastic to have so many people gather together in Roman Road to relax, have fun and meet friends and neighbours.

“We know that residents are concerned the impact that our busy roads are having on public health and safety. Bow will be one of the first areas to benefit from my Liveable Streets programme with reduced traffic and more places to relax, walk and cycle easily.”

Activities included: all ability cycling with Bikeworks; recycled art with Sustrans; mini golf; games; giant human table football; Spitalfields City Farm’s petting zoo; and sculpture with Barefooted Arts and Our Creative Nature.

Community groups including Roman Road Trust and Plastic Free Roman Road joined the council’s recycling team to show how residents can make Bow greener and cleaner.

Councillor David Edgar, Cabinet Member for Environment, said: “Cleaner, more sustainable transport will be key to helping us to improve air quality in Tower Hamlets and in turn the health of our residents. We want to make the borough safer for everyone and reduce the traffic that uses our residential roads as a rat-run. Car Free day was a great way of showing the difference we can all make to improve our environment”

Tower Bridge in the borough was reclaimed for yoga, walking, cycling and live entertainment.