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New Play Streets Bring Families Together on Car Free Day
Car Free Day, celebrated globally on 22 September, is all about reimagining our streets without cars and encouraging people to walk, cycle, scoot and play in safer, healthier environments. It’s a chance to experience the benefits of cleaner air, reduced traffic, and more active neighbourhoods, while highlighting the importance of sustainable transport.
Here in Westminster, Car Free Day is a key moment in the year to showcase programmes like Play Streets, Street Play, and School Streets, which all form part of the council’s Active Streets Programme. By turning roads into spaces for people, the day helps residents see how streets can be used differently, supporting Westminster’s ambition for greener, safer, and more connected communities.
The first of this year’s new locations opened in Northumberland Place on 4 August, quickly becoming a hub of laughter, cycling, and outdoor fun. Building on this success, Kilravock Street and Ashmore Road officially joined the programme in September. To mark Car Free Day, the council also hosted Street Play sessions in Church Street and Capland Street, where young people enjoyed activities with Everyone Active coaches and Cycle Confident helped build cycling skills.
Cllr Cara Sanquest, Cabinet Member for Communities, said:
“We’re pleased to be able to launch this Play Streets scheme, which facilitates play, physical activity, leisure and sport opportunities outside for children, young people and families, literally on the doorstep of people’s homes.
There are lots of children and families who live along the same street who don’t get the chance to interact together, and these sessions allow them to do so safely and play on a traffic-free road.
This new scheme highlights the power of communities coming together to create cleaner, safer, healthier, and more active neighbourhoods across the city.”
Residents have already been quick to share their appreciation, with one parent from Northumberland Place saying:
“It has been such a good way to get the kids out of the house and active. It has also been instrumental in making friends with neighbours and building a real community spirit.”
See how Westminster’s streets came alive on Car Free Day with new Play Streets, bringing families, neighbours and communities together in safe, traffic-free spaces.
The impact of Active Streets
The Active Streets initiative is about more than play, it’s about healthier streets, cleaner air, and stronger communities. By reducing traffic and reclaiming space for people, the programme helps deliver Westminster’s ActiveWestminster Strategy, supporting the council’s vision for an Active City where infrastructure, neighbourhoods, and local communities make it easier for everyone to be active every day.
With four Play Street locations now open (Northumberland Place, Kilravock Street, Ashmore Road, and Luton & Fisherton Street), the scheme continues to grow, giving families more opportunities to enjoy safe, welcoming spaces for activity and connection.
You can play a part too. Street Makers are local residents who lead on bringing Street Play sessions first and can then apply for a more permanent setting with a Play Street. The programme aims to help neighbours come together and create spaces where children and families can enjoy safe, traffic-free play.
To learn more about the Active Streets Programme, use the link below.
