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More than 8,000 people have backed a petition calling on Sadiq Khan to launch London’s first ever ‘Car Free Day’.

As part of a drive to cut air pollution in the capital, nearly 100 organisations have urged the Mayor of London to ban private cars on September 22.

Celebrations and street parties would be held across London as part of the event, campaigners said.

An open letter was sent this week to Mr Khan by groups including Friends of the Earth, environment law firm ClientEarth, King's College London researchers and neighbourhood forums across 15 London boroughs.

It said the event could spark long-term reductions in air pollution, while reducing the number of private cars on roads and encouraging more people to cycle or walk.

An earlier letter - sent in March - prompted a response by Deputy Mayor for Transport Valerie Shawcross and Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy Shirley Rodrigues, who said they are working with teams to examine “what is possible above our existing activity on this issue”.

Now, a petition launched by Marco Picardi to promote the event has gained mass support among Londoners.

Mr Picardi wrote in a statement: “Everyday Londoners like me are breathing in toxic fumes that can seriously damage our health.

"This city is home for me and my family, and because of that I’m determined to do something about it."

He added: "I know that London is one of the greatest cities in the world, and that working together we have an opportunity to show that another way is possible.

“This is why I want London Mayor Sadiq Khan to agree to hold a Car Free Day on Saturday September 22 2018.

"It will be a day of community celebrations and street parties across London. It will be a day when families and communities gather outdoors and breathe fresh air."

A spokesman for the Mayor said: “The Mayor already supports a number of car-restricted days for annual events in London, and he has asked City Hall officials to consider additional opportunities for car-free activities as part of his Healthy Streets vision.

"Tackling toxic emissions from the most polluting vehicles is a core part of the hard-hitting measures the Mayor has introduced to help clean-up London’s air, from delivering theToxicity-Charge (T-Charge) in central London, to the early introduction of the Ultra-Low Emission Zone, and transforming the bus fleet.

"The Mayor is determined to do everything in his power to protect the health of Londoners and prioritise walking, cycling and public transport and reduce Londoners' dependency on polluting cars.”

Cities around the world, including Bogota, Jakarta, Paris and Brussels, have already successfully implemented the initiative. In Jakarta, it takes place on a weekly basis.

Traffic has previously been banned from the capital during special events, such as the London Marathon.

This proved highly effective in tackling London's toxic air as a section of the route saw an 89 per cent drop in pollution on race day.

Research showed the air quality improved by almost nine tenths along Upper Thames Street as vehicles were barred from roads.