Meristem Helped Deliver UK’s Biggest Ever Car Free Day

11th July 2025

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Meristem provided car free day packages to the Mayor of London, TfL, City of London, Waltham Forest, Lewisham, Haringey, Hammersmith, Thamesmead, and Tower Hamlets. The car free package was showcased over the weekend, where roads throughout London were closed for World Car Free Day. On Sunday September 22, twenty kilometres of roads were closed off, resulting in the size of about 200 football fields of free space!

The event displayed what London could be like if we all tried to use less vehicles, for example Regent Street, a street commonly full of traffic, was transformed so people were able to sit down on deckchairs and relax right in the middle of the street!

Delivering the car-free initiative

Air pollution is a rising issue within heavily populated cities such as London. Mayor Sadiq Khan joined in on the fun at car free day, riding a bike across Tower Bridge. The Mayor has committed to raise the number of people using sustainable transport in order to reduce the harmful levels of NO2.

Over the past few months Meristem Design has collaborated with different councils to deliver multiple uniquely designed car free spaces. These spaces showcased a ‘party street’ atmosphere with temporary parklets, artificial lawns, trees, hay bales, bunting and a large selection of over-sized games. Even the rain didn’t dampen the spirits with a great turn out playing in their wellies and raincoats. The family friendly event was overall a success with around 150,000 Londoners attending the event.

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