One of Liverpool’s busiest roads – The Strand on the waterfront – will ban cars for six hours on one day next week as part of World Car Free Day. Tony McDonough reports
Cars will be banned from using one of Liverpool’s busiest roads for six hours one day next week as the city celebrates World Car Free Day.
Stretching along the waterfront, The Strand passes Liverpool’s world famous Three Graces. And from 10am until 4pm on Thursday, September 22 it will be closed in both directions from Chapel Street to James Street.
For those few hours the highway will be transformed into a stage for a programme of free healthy activities. These will include keep fit classes, a “bungee run”, live entertainment and giveaways. It will also host free live music from several LIMF Academy artists.
Its closure comes in the same week as the £2 cap is placed on all bus journeys by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. And it is part of a wider active travel campaign by Liverpool City Council to encourage motorists to think twice about using their car for journeys.
This campaign is a long-term bid to improve the city’s air quality and develop healthier lifestyles in its citizens. It includes investing in infrastructure to encourage more walking and cycling.
As part of this programme, the council is currently consulting on upgrading three cycle lanes in the city. There are plans on a further four routes to be announced later this year. It is also piloting a number of “school streets” to improve the school run.
The local authority has also just completed a £22m upgrade to The Strand, which handles more than 1,000 vehicles per hour on a usual working day. This included widening pavements, installing 100 new trees and creating a purpose-built segregated two-way cycle lane.
On Word Car Free Day, people can enjoy a wide range of free activities on this famous stretch of The Strand between 11am and 3pm, including:
- Live 30-minute fitness class by JD Gyms.
- Live 30-minute fitness class from Lifestyles.
- Smoothie Bikes – make your own smoothie by pedalling fast.
- Col8 bikes to ride around The Strand.
- Inflatable obstacle courses.
- Free freshly-baked healthy snacks from Squash Nutrition.
- Free coffee from a local coffee supplier.
- Plus the chance to have your bike serviced and checked.
There will also be a host of companies on site offering information and support including World Gymnastics and Asthma UK. The city council will be providing information about its leisure services and recycling operations.
A series of diversions will be in place on the day from 9am redirecting vehicles away from The Strand via Leeds Street and Grove Street. The closed stretch of The Strand is expected to reopen by 5pm. Access will be maintained to the blue badge bays on Brunswick Street / Mann Island throughout the day.
Cllr Dan Barrington, Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet member for Transport and Climate Change, said: “World Car Free Day is an opportunity for everyone to try a different way of getting from a to b that is better for them and the planet.
“The Strand has just undergone a dramatic transformation to give pedestrians and cyclists a more enjoyable and safer experience, so it’s the perfect place to celebrate World Car Free Day.”
“Simon O’Brien, Liverpool City Region’s Cycling and Walking Commissioner, ADDED: “Car Free Day is the day to begin to reimagine our city. Liverpool City Council are sending the right message with the Strand closure.
“This will allow everyone in the city centre to think about what the city will look like in the future. Urban spaces for people.”