Bermondsey Street closed this weekend to mark World Car Free Day.
The closure on Saturday was one of 49 across the capital in a bid to tackle poor air quality and pollution.
The free event, attended by councillors, local residents and businesses, to swap their cars for a cycle.
It featured pedal-powered smoothies, street performers and giant ‘air quality’ snakes and ladders.
Cllr Richard Livingstone – Cabinet member for environment, traffic management and air quality – said: “In Southwark we encourage Play Streets applications and World Car Free Day presents another opportunity to show people how our streets can be transformed into spaces for communities to come together and children to play in.”
“Improving air quality is a London wide priority and we hope that the activities and information available on Bermondsey Street, will help more people to make the move to walking and cycling and leave their cars at home.”
He was joined by Will Norman, London’s Walking and Cycling Commissioner, to encourage eco-friendly car alternatives.
The day aimed to encourage everyone in Southwark to help reduce air pollution and improve fitness, health and road safety, by walking, cycling, or scooting around the borough, rather than using a vehicle.
The event marking World Car Free Day also gave people the opportunity to see how busy Bermondsey Street could look as a car free space.
Council staff were also on hand to help people access council funding for Cleaner Greener Safer community projects in Southwark and talk through Play Streets initiatives.
Maps of the borough’s Quietways cycle routes were also provided, which are designed especially for people who are new to cycling.
The initiative follows hot on the heels of the new School Streets campaign launch, which encourages schools to work together with the council to close more roads outside schools at pick up and drop off times.