London’s Bank Junction to be turned into festival space for World Car-Free Day

Bank Junction is to be transformed into a car-free festival space with a picnic area and music as part of this year’s World Car-Free Day.

Formerly one of the capital’s most notorious junctions, road casualties halved at Bank Junction after traffic other than buses and bicycles was banned on weekdays in May 2017.

The junction is now set to serve as the centrepiece of London’s World Car-Free Day celebrations on September 22. As well as a picnic area, there are plans for music and entertaintment from a solar-powered stage.

This year’s Car-Free Day will see 12 miles of roads closed around London Bridge, Tower Bridge and across much of the City of London.

The Reimagine event, which will run between 10.30am and 5pm, will also feature a classic cycle ride and yoga and meditation sessions on Tower Bridge.

On nearby Cheapside, car parking spaces will become ‘parklets’ for various activities including games, gardening or relaxing.

Santander Cycles will also offer free hires all day with extra bikes to be made available around the event to cater for increased demand.

All Car Free Day events will be free to attend.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “This year will be London’s biggest Car Free Day celebration, giving everyone a great opportunity to explore our capital’s streets on foot or by bike. The hundreds of free events on offer provide something for everyone, with different activities available around every corner.

“With just one month to go, I encourage as many Londoners as possible to join in the fun. Through seeing their city from a different perspective, I hope it will encourage more people to walk and cycle as part of their everyday routine.”

Oliver Sells, Chairman of the City of London Corporation’s Streets & Walkways Sub Committee, added: “This event offers an opportunity to reimagine how our streets are used and encourage more sustainable forms of transport, such as cycling or walking, to improve air quality across the capital.”

In addition to the Central London Reimagine event, 23 boroughs will be offering ‘Play Streets’ on Car Free Day – safe spaces where Londoners can socialise and play in their streets. It is hoped there will be at least 200.