World Car Free Day is coming around again and it’s time to make your plans! Get organising a road closure now in order to enjoy a few hours of vehicle-free tarmac outside your house this September and let the bikes, scooters and feet enjoy some freedom. It will be a great excuse to get all the neighbours together for some socialising and play outside too!
One of Sustainable St Albans’ longest running projects is Playing Out, supporting people wanting to close their own roads for community gatherings and play. Whether you live in St Albans, Harpenden, Wheathampstead, Sandridge, Redbourn or London Colney, what better excuse than World Car Free Day?
What is World Car Free Day?
World Car Free Day falls on 22nd September each year. All around the world, people close roads where they live to experience streets free of motor traffic. It’s a great chance to re-imagine our streets based around people rather than cars. In St Albans District, we have found it easier to celebrate this on the nearest weekend – so we would suggest road closures take place in 2023 on Saturday 23rd or Sunday 24th September.
How do I close my own road in St Albans District?
In St Albans, Harpenden and the villages there are two applications routes you can use to close your road, and the easiest way to understand which one to use is to ask yourself how many times do I want to close my road in 2023?
If you want to close your road just once in 2023, use a Herts County Council Street Party Application. To close your road multiple times in 2023, use St Albans District Council’s Playing Out scheme. More details on each are set out in the sections below.
Closing your road once this year: Herts County Council Street Party Application
What is Herts County Council’s Street Party Application?
If you just want to close your road once in 2023, eg for World Car Free Day, then apply to Herts County Council for a street party road closure. That doesn’t mean you have to hold a full-on street party! Your street gathering can be low-key with, for example, bring-your-own cups of tea and a packet of biscuits. However, it gives you more time to apply. Click here for the Herts County Council webpage.
Can I get any help to apply for Herts County Council’s Street Party Application?
Yes, you can get support with how to close your road this way from community group Our Street Party St Albans District. They can send you their free information pack with a sample pre-filled-in Herts County Council application form to guide you. Our Street Party can also lend you the necessary Road Closed signs if you live in St Albans District.
Deadlines and consultation for Herts County Council’s Street Party Application
If you want to close your road for World Car Free Day using this legislation, then the deadline for road closure applications to Herts County Council will be Friday 11th August. In general, they ask for application 6 weeks before your road closure. You must consult your neighbours before you apply. Our Street Party can give you a sample letter to copy.
You can use this legislation once per year only.
Closing your road multiple times in 2023: St Albans District Council’s Playing Out scheme
What is St Albans District Council’s Playing Out scheme?
The Playing Out scheme allows streets to close up to 8 times a year for up to 3 hours at a time. It is perfect for streets that have already held a street party in 2023 or who wish to do a few low-key gatherings throughout the year. These closures are great for children’s play but also fantastic for neighbours of all ages to get together. It works brilliantly when neighbours see each other on a more frequent basis and get to know each other. It’s a great way to build a community.
The closures must be stewarded by volunteer residents in hi viz jackets who guide access for resident cars and guests. Roads are closed to through-traffic.
Can I get any help to apply for St Albans District Council’s Playing Out scheme?
In St Albans District, the Playing Out St Albans District project is run by Sustainable St Albans, with road closures authorised by the district council. Our project co-ordinator, Nicola, is there to provide all the help and support you need. To arrange a chat with her or to ask questions, simply email the Playing Out team. You can also borrow Road Closed signs, hi viz jackets and other kit from them.
How do I find out more about St Albans District Council’s Playing Out scheme?
Click here to visit the Playing Out St Albans District “How to Apply” webpage to find step-by-step instructions on how to apply for the scheme. Click here to email the Playing Out team with your questions or to organise a chat.
Deadlines and consultation for St Albans District Council’s Playing Out scheme
If you want to use the Playing Out scheme to close your road for World Car Free Day and other dates in 2023 from September onwards, then the deadline for Playing Out road closure applications will be Monday 10th July. You must consult your neighbours in writing before you apply – the team can provide you with a personalised note to drop through doors in your street so contact them today.
World Car Free Day is an easy low-key way to build sustainable communities
Sometimes it feels like there are too many things to be done to help climate change and they are all too big. Closing your own road is a wonderful way to build community, bring people together and make people care. Our previous blog here why road closures are a great way to build sustainable communities. World Car Free Day is the perfect excuse.
You can make a difference where you live. Simply compose a note to your neighbours using the support from the appropriate team above, drop it through doors and make a road closure application for World Car Free Day or any other date(s) you choose!