Toolkit will help residents host Car Free Day

A new toolkit will help residents in Leeds host community street events on Car Free Day. 

The Streets for People toolkit makes it easier for residents to temporarily close the street they live on and use the road space for community events and street parties. 

To celebrate World Car Free Day, Leeds City Council is hosting an event on Cookridge Street on September 22. The event will include a free bike mechanic, a BikeRegister pop-up, Connecting Leeds and Clean Air Leeds. 

Zero Carbon Headingley will also be hosting a Car-Free Street Fair along North Lane, Headingley on September 19, 1—4:30 pm.

Cllr Helen Hayden, executive member for infrastructure and climate said: ‘One of the best things about living in Leeds is the support and togetherness of our many communities, especially over the last two years.

‘Whether organised to celebrate a bank holiday, religious celebration, or another occasion, community events help bring people together.

‘That’s why we’re really pleased to launch the new Streets for People toolkit, making it really simple for neighbours to come together and organise a temporary event on their street.

‘We’re excited to see how the new toolkit will be used, helping to demonstrate how our streets can be used as spaces for people, not just cars, supporting our wider Connecting Leeds vision.’

It is hoped that the events will showcase what is possible when roads are closed to traffic. 

Matthew Hill, Zero Carbon Headingley added: ‘We want people to experience being in the centre of Headingley without having to put up with the noise and pollution from traffic. We’re having stalls from a range of environmental groups, as well as eco-friendly arts and crafts, activities for children, food and live music.’

To download the Streets for People toolkit, visit www.leeds.gov.uk/streetsforpeople

Photo by Tim Lumley