Norfolk to celebrate Car-Free Day

Car-Free Day is celebrated across the world and encourages motorists to give up their cars for a day in favour of more sustainable forms of transport.

Norfolk Car-Free Day will be held on Sunday 20 September and the council will be waiving fees for residents wishing to apply for a temporary street closure in their local community.

One idea for making the most of the closure is to use the time for 'Street Play', a project started in Bristol which is designed to give children the freedom to play directly outside their own front door.

Councillor Martin Wilby, Norfolk County Council's cabinet member for highways and infrastructure said: "Lockdown has already given us a flavour what our streets can feel like with less traffic and that is exactly what Car-Free Day is about.

"It aligns with our shared aims to reduce air pollution and congestion on our roads, promote sustainable transport and encourage our communities to live active and healthy lives.

"Our plans have been somewhat scaled down this year with regard to Covid-19 but we still hope people will get behind the event. It's certainly something we will be looking to build as we move towards a future of green transport and we will be waiving fees for all Street Play events moving forward."

Matt White, founder of Car-Free Norwich added: "It's just one year since the first official Norwich Car-Free Day, and the scheme is already going Countywide. We are incredibly pleased at this news, and we hope that lots of neighbourhoods across the county will take the opportunity to hold a street event or play session on the day, to rekindle some of the amazing community spirit seen during lockdown".

Further guidance on conditions and how to apply for a temporary street closure for Norfolk Car-Free Day can be found at www.norfolk.gov.uk/carfreenorfolk

The deadline for applications is Friday 28 August.

Given the current situation with COVID-19 any planned street events will need to be held in strict adherence with the latest government advice and may need to be cancelled should further restrictions be implemented.

Press release issued on behalf of Norfolk County Council, August 7, 2020.