Chichester car free day organisers attempting to get license reinstated

Volunteers Carley Sitwell, Debbie Carter, Helen Cato and Ping Jiang with the toys they will bring to the car free day event in Chichester, if the road closure order is reinstated

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Chichester car free day organisers have said they would be 'willing to scale back' the event, in a bid to get its street closure license reinstated.

A section of South Street was due to be closed under a 'Playing Out order' to motorists between 12.30 and 3.30pm on Sunday, September 22 — International Global Car Free Day. The plans, initially given the go-ahead by Chichester District Council, were made as part of campaigner Mark Record and city councillor Sarah Sharp’s vision to trial a scheme inside the city walls one Sunday a month to make the city more safe.

However, following threats of a protest from unhappy residents, the road closure licence has since been revoked by the district council, due to public safety concerns. Read more here

When approached for comment about the decision, a 'bitterly disappointed' Mark said: "We are desperately trying to get the licence reinstated.

Signs were put up in South Street informing shoppers of the car free day plans

"Our group is in touch with Sussex Police and hope to have discussions with them on Monday to examine why the street license has been withdrawn and if it will be possible to reinstate it.

"The police have remarked that the scope of the event has potentially expanded beyond that normally covered by a playing out order but the organisers are willing to scale back any activities to meet police requirements."

Mark said the previously approved Playing Out order was 'pioneered by families in Bristol' to allow streets to be closed so children can use the space made available for games and activities.

Mark said four volunteers met on South Street on Saturday to 'show off toys they are hoping to bring' if the licence is reinstated.

Campaigner Mark Record's car free day idea has been supported by city councillor Sarah Sharp

He added: "[We all] hope Chichester District Council and Sussex Police will allow this event to take place."

Readers react

More than 100 Observer readers shared their mixed views, after it was announced that the road closure licence was revoked.

Commenting on our Facebook page, Matthew Somerton-Rayner wrote: "How completely pathetic. People can't cope with a small section of one street being closed to traffic for a measly three hours on a Sunday afternoon?"