2030 will see the end of new petrol and diesel cars on the road. Almost a decade before that, London is continuing to expand its ultra-low emission zone. But could we potentially see cities become completely car-free in the future?
Well, some locations are starting to introduce several car-free streets. So, the possibility of larger areas following suit is gaining momentum. This initiative isn’t anything new, as some countries have paved the way for increased pedestrianised spaces.
But what would the change mean for drivers in these cities? And will infrastructure change to make the transition smoother for all road users? Let’s take a closer look at the details…
What cities are proposing car-free areas?
The most recent uptake of this new scheme is by Birmingham City Council. It is planning to introduce a Car Free School Streets scheme with the main aim that school children will be able to commute safely.
The order is proposed to cover 17 areas at the start and end of the school day. The trial will last 18 months, and then the council will make a decision on whether it is made a permanent feature or is removed or amended.
During the consultation process, over 80% of the parents surveyed backed this scheme, as it is beneficial for children’s safety.
While this might feel like an inconvenience for some drivers, the initial restriction times will be between 30 minutes to an hour at the beginning and end of the school day. This will coincide with drop off and pick up times to keep children safer. Plus, it will reduce traffic in busy residential areas and outside schools.
Birmingham City Council recently introduced more traffic calming schemes including the Low Traffic Neighbourhood Scheme. There are also more vehicle-activated speed signs alongside the two schemes. This is an attempt to slow traffic in busy areas as residents complained of safety issues in locations around the city.
Birmingham is named one of the top 10 most dangerous places to drive. So new car-free areas could have a beneficial impact on reducing accidents.
What are the consequences of driving in a car-free area?
If you decide to flout the rules when they come into play, there will be a consequence – a £50 fine. However, some drivers will still be able to use these areas such as:
- Residents with permits (people affected by the road closure area)
- Blue badge holders
- Emergency services
- Healthcare workers
- Refuse collectors
- Postal services
- Utility companies (for essential maintenance)
- Licensed hire vehicles
These zones will also have adequate signage and warnings to alert drivers before they drive through.
Other UK cities with car-free areas
The UK is no stranger to car-free areas, and the city of York is another place where you’ll find more pedestrianised zones.
The city’s pedestrian zone is one of the largest in Europe and the UK. In addition, footstreets were introduced in the city centre to create a safer and less polluted space for people to enjoy.
This zone covers many streets in the city, and no vehicles (exclusions apply) are allowed to enter between 10.30am and 8.00pm. This applies seven days a week. Residents living in the footstreet zone are also advised to leave vehicles outside the area if they need to travel within the hours highlighted.
Similar to Birmingham’s car-free zones, some drivers may access footstreet areas with vehicles. This includes:
- Emergency services
- Emergency utility works
- Security deliveries
- Dial & Ride vehicles
Glasgow is another city aiming to introduce car-free zones by 2027. As a result, around £30 billion may be spent working towards net-zero living over the next ten years. The idea is that the centre of the city will largely be pedestrianised to create a more sustainable and cleaner space for residents and visitors.
In May 2022, Edinburgh will also be joining London on its plans to reduce pollution in the city. A Low Emission Zone will be implemented this year, but actual enforcement won’t occur until 2024. This zone will also see a ban on certain vehicles that don’t meet Euro VI emission standards. Typical vehicles that fall outside it are diesel cars registered before 2015 and petrol cars before 2006.
Taking inspiration from European cities
Many city hubs in Europe have already prevented cars from entering central spots. Some larger car-free areas include Brussels, Munich and Copenhagen. Plus, the northern Spanish city of Pontevedra banned vehicles from its medieval centre in the early 2000s. The city of Oslo has also implemented more bike lanes, parks and benches in places that were once on-street parking.
Car-free cities for cleaner, greener living
Another area of the car-free city model looks at the impact on the environment and people on a local scale. Experts at UCL suggest that for cities to be liveable in the future, they must be car-free.
This viewpoint comes from a modelling report created by UCL. It looks at different scenarios based on the number of people and number of cars on the road and the population’s reliance on polluting automobiles.
Findings suggest in order to create sustainable and liveable cities, land should be allocated to alternative modes of transport instead.
The next steps
The hope with all of these plans is that they reduce pollution and increase safety for residents and visitors. Current projects see a handful of cities start to take the next steps. Still, the potential for larger-scale implementation may not be far off.
Results from car-free areas are promising. Councils are already reporting decreases in certain pollutants. Plus, European counterparts have also noticed a drop in CO2 emissions since car-free schemes started operating. The main takeaway is that the integration of car-free areas is a matter of when not if.
