Winchester residents urged to take part in World Car Free Day
Sunday (September 22) will see Winchester City Council mark World Car Free Day.
The 24-hour period is intended to inspire the public to explore more sustainable forms of transport than driving.
To help reduce congestion in the city centre, a free Park & Ride service will run from the South and East Park & Ride sites.
Drivers will also be encouraged use the ‘outer ring’ car parks including Durngate, Worthy Lane, Chesil Street Multi-Storey Car Park and the Cattle Market and, as part of this, Middle Brook Street car park will be closed to cars for the day.
The city council’s support for World Car Free Day reflects its commitment to improving air quality. The Cabinet announced a Climate Change Emergency in June and stated that its goal was to achieve carbon neutrality for the council by 2024 and for the wider district neutrality by 2030.
Cabinet Member for Environment, Cllr Lynda Murphy, said:
“I am delighted that we are promoting a car free day in Winchester. This is just the start and we hope to hold the event on a much larger scale next year.
“We hope this event will become a firm fixture on the calendar as we look to find new ways to improve air quality, reduce our carbon footprint and encourage people to find sustainable ways to get round the city and the district.”
The day will also coincide with the Winchester Half Marathon, who are encouraging runners to support the day by using the Park & Ride services and outer car parks.
To find out more about World Car Free Day visit https://www.worldcarfree.net/wcfd/