Merton participates in Car Free Day 2002

There won’t be any traffic jams but there may be some homemade jam, as a farmers market replaces vehicles in Wimbledon Hill Road, on Sunday 22 September, as part of Car Free Day 2002.

The bottom of Wimbledon Hill Road will be closed and traffic diverted via Worple Road and St Georges Road so that instead of car fumes, people can enjoy a variety of fun including pop and soul music, a magician, acrobats, the farmers market and much more.

The Mayor of Merton, Councillor Edith Macauley, will officially open the event at 11am. She will also be presenting prizes to the winners of the Under 16 Car Free Day Poetry Competition, where entrants were asked to write a poem about the benefits of using cars less.

Car Free Day aims to:
– Encourage the use of alternative forms of transport and travel other than private cars
– Raise awareness of what is at stake for long term mobility in towns and the risks connected with pollution
– Show the town in a different light thanks to reduced/banned motorised traffic in certain areas.

Councillor Linda Kirby, Cabinet Member for Environmental Quality and Councillor Russell Makin, Cabinet Member for Transport and Planning, said: “We would like to encourage everyone to come and join in the fun. Car Free Day will not only entertain but it will also educate. It’s an opportunity for residents and visitors to consider car use in a wider context – as well as enjoying a good day out.”

Last year was a great success. A section of London Road in Morden was closed to cars and there was a display of old and new buses, antique fair stalls, a dry ice-skating rink and dancing.

For further information contact Emma Sheridan on 020 8545 3192.