A serious message behind the successful Car Free Day

Published: 25 November, 2010

• I WOULD thank everyone involved in sponsoring, funding and setting up the Car Free Day and Christmas light switch-on in Camden High Street on Sunday.  

It was a fantastic event and wonderful to see part of the High Street just covered with people shopping and enjoying Camden.

Our initial feedback is that trading was up, businesses were happy and people really loved the music, the Mayor and Lady Mayoress, and of course Katy B. 

Huge thanks to our main sponsors Camden Town Unlimited for the entertainment and lights as well as Transport for London who closed the road and made Car Free Day extra special for us all.  

We also had great support from The Roundhouse, MTV and Camden’s primary care trust, the police and, of course, Camden’s Public Realm and Transport officers.

It is worth noting the serious health message behind Car Free Day, as although the impact on human health from transport are well known, such as injuries and noise, evidence of the direct effects from air pollutants on mortality rates have emerged in recent years and recent research indicates over 4,000 people die each year across London due to poor air quality. 

We really do need to walk and cycle more – it helps to reduce congestion on the road, reduces those extra pounds on our waists and directly tackles air pollutants.

As we head towards Christmas, in what will be a very financially difficult year ahead for all of us, it is uplifting to celebrate our traditions; 

I hope people enjoyed being entertained courtesy of Camden’s businesses, helped the local economy and revelled in the car free environment.   

CLLR SUE VINCENT
Cabinet Member for Environment & Planning