Transform Scotland has today published its written deputation to The City of Edinburgh Council on the reintroduction of car free days in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh has a history of car free events, including the Car-Free Festivals on George Street in the early 2000s. The reintroduction of this tradition would showcase how streets can be reframed to be people-first, becoming safer, healthier and more welcoming when space is prioritised for walking, wheeling, cycling, public transport and community activities over private car ownership.
Committing to an annual Car-Free Day, supported by more frequent events in individual neighbourhoods would not only reduce traffic temporarily, but has the potential to create lasting changes in travel behaviour. It has already been demonstrated that pedestrian-friendly streets can support local trade and improve the experience of visiting the city centre and neighbourhood high streets.
Living Streets’ ‘Pedestrian Pound’ (2024) report found that weekend pedestrianisation in Shrewsbury led to 25% more sales, and TfL (2018) found people walking, cycling and using public transport spend 40% more a month in local shops than drivers.
Accordingly, Transform Scotland calls on The City of Edinburgh Council to:
• Commit to an annual Edinburgh Car Free Day, with a prominent city-centre event and a programme of supporting neighbourhood events.
• Identify and close suitable streets to general motor traffic, prioritising locations where closures can create attractive, connected public spaces for walking, wheeling, cycling and community activities.
• Work with communities, businesses and transport operators to design inclusive events, maintain accessibility and promote alternatives to car travel.
• Use Car Free Days to advance permanent change, identifying opportunities to trial and introduce lasting improvements to streets, public transport priority and active travel infrastructure.
• Set clear objectives and publish an annual evaluation, reporting on participation, accessibility, public response and lessons for future transport and public-space policy.
• Integrate Car Free Days into Edinburgh’s wider traffic-reduction strategy, using the events to build public support for sustained reductions in unnecessary car journeys.
