On Sunday, September 22 the road, one of Liverpool’s most-used routes in and out of the city centre will hold its first car-free day as part of a city-wide push to tackle climate change. Tony McDonough reports

Traffic will be blocked from Wavertree High Street for one day this weekend as part of a community campaign to raise awareness of climate change.

On Sunday, September 22 the road, one of Liverpool’s most-used routes in and out of the city centre will hold its first car-free day in a move aimed at showing the city is serious about tackling climate change.

The idea has come from the ‘Love Wavertree’ group – a collection of local people who are taking it upon themselves to make Wavertree High Street a ‘happier and healthier’ place. The area that will be kept free of vehicles will stretch from the Rose Garden through to the lock-up – with buses set to be diverted around the closed-off area all day.

In place of vehicles, there will be a farmers market, live performances, games, music, dancing and sport including cricket and football. The event ties in with Heritage Open Days and the historic Wavertree lock-up will be open, and there will be tours of Wavertree Congregational Church and Bluecoat School.

The council’s decision to allow the car-free day comes after it declared a climate emergency during a historic meeting in July. Cllr Laura Robertson-Collins, Cabinet member for climate change, said: “This is the first time we have ever closed a key route to mark car-free day. Although it is only one day, it is designed to demonstrate how we can use an area differently when there is no traffic around.”

“This is a chance for local people to spend time on their local High Street, spending money in the local economy and also getting to know their neighbours. It is the start of us trying to rebalance the relationship between motoring and more sustainable forms of transport including buses, cycling and walking.”

Cllr Clare McIntyre, who is part of the Love Wavertree community consortium, added: “We have done a lot of work with the local community and this idea proved popular as a way of reducing pollution. We hope as many people, families, communities and businesses join us for a celebration of Wavertree.”