Cardiff Car Free Day: Sustrans calls for more

Travelling in an environment with no congestion or air pollution may seem like a far-fetched desire but Sunday’s (12 May) Cardiff Car Free Day is proof that it doesn’t have to be.

Cardiff’s Car Free Day allowed people to experience what the city centre could look and feel like if active travel was prioritised over motor transport. People were encouraged to socialise, play and exercise in a space that is usually dominated by traffic, pollution and noise.

By taking over a part of the city that is normally taken up with cars, congestion and exhaust fumes, Cardiff city centre was transformed into a space where there was space to walk, cycle, scoot and enjoy the quiet, clean city. 

Steve Brooks, director of Sustrans Cymru said:

“Over reliance on the car is damaging our health, harming our environment and hurting our economy.

“Events like Cardiff Car Free Day are fantastic, but we want to see more.

“Cardiff Council pedestrianised Queen Street in the 1970’s and we had to wait another thirty years for them to pedestrianise the High Street.

“We want to see the council pedestrianising the entire city centre, allowing access for busses and traders but essentially restricting cars from coming into the city centre. This will improve the environment for everyone and will make Cardiff a cleaner, healthier and better place to be.”  

 The Council has been undertaking a detailed study into air quality across the city, and are rolling out a plan of work which will aim to bring the levels of air pollution within legal limits in the quickest time possible, this work is a result of a legal challenge by Client Earth

For more information and to have your say click here https://www.cardiff.gov.uk/ENG/resident/Parking-roads-and-travel/clean-air-cardiff/Pages/default.aspx