Lewisham gets ready for Car Free Day 2023

Lewisham Council is partnering with London Play to bring street games and children’s play activities to Deptford High Street on Saturday 23 September to mark Car Free Day 2023.

As well as the regular Saturday market, the usual pedestrianised zone on Deptford High Street will be extended up to the junction of Ffinch Street, creating additional pedestrianised space for residents and shoppers to enjoy.

London Play will be organising a range of children’s play activities from 11am to 4pm, including space hopper races, giant hopscotch, arts and crafts and other traditional street games.

Additional outdoor seating will also be placed around the high street, helping to attract more shoppers and visitors to the market and shops.

Car Free Day is an annual event that encourages drivers to give up their cars for the day and sees activities taking place on roads usually dominated by cars to highlight the benefits of reduced car use for improving road safety, air quality and congestion.

Elsewhere in the borough, residents are organising Play Streets, with certain roads temporarily closed to traffic, enabling children to play safely in the street and providing residents with the opportunity to get to know their neighbours.

Cllr Louise Krupski, Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Action, said: “Car Free Day is a fantastic opportunity for residents to enjoy traffic-free streets and explore how we can make better use of road space. Reducing car use in the borough is vital for tackling air pollution and improving road safety and Car Free Day creates a vision of safer, less congested streets that we can all enjoy.

“The activities we are organising on Deptford High Street with London Play will also help attract more visitors to the market and high street, providing a welcome boost in footfall for local businesses and traders.”

Residents are able to apply for a Play Street throughout the year – visit our Play Streets page for more information.