When: 21st September 2013
Where: Seven Dials, Covent Garden, London
£: Free
What is it?
Cars and taxis will be replaced by trees, activities and music when Camden Council hosts a pop-up forest to celebrate walking and cycling as part of International Car Free Day. The unique event will take place in Seven Dials, central London.
On Saturday 21st September a unique spectacle of 60 trees will be temporarily plotted around the Seven Dials pillar in Covent Garden. Trees of different varieties, all roughly 5 metres in height, will provide an escape from the hustle and bustle of central London. For one day only, the whole of Seven Dials will be transformed into a car-free haven as it will be closed to traffic.
This year’s International Car Free Day focuses on the very topical issue of air pollution, with road closure events taking place around the world. The Camden Council initiative aims to encourage people to walk and cycle more, using greener modes of travel to improve health and reduce pollution.
The London Orchard Project will be on hand to offer a refreshing thirst quencher at their Orchard Juice Bar as well as bringing to light the benefits of planting fruit trees in urban spaces. Kings College London will offer fun air quality activities and advice, helping visitors to create unique “Breath Drawings”, and showing people how to find out what pollution levels are like around their homes. Camden Council will be showcasing their new “Air Quality Bubble Map”, which will highlight how easy it is to walk and cycle within a one mile “bubble” of their homes, schools or workplaces. If your bike is in need of a little TLC then Dr Bike will be on hand to sort out any injuries at no cost. Free cycle maintenance and anti-theft bike marking will be carried out between 11am and 5pm, just bring your bike!
The streets of Seven Dials will also see plenty of activity including children’s face painting, floor art and live music to keep you entertained throughout the day.
Once the day is over all trees will be moved and planted in new plots across the borough of Camden for people to enjoy on a permanent basis. So support the scheme, give up your car for the day and visit the only pop-up forest in the heart of London.
More info: www.sevendials.co.uk