A SALISBURY councillor is calling on the community to get behind plans to hold a car free day.

Councillor Atiqul Hoque, who serves on both Wiltshire and Salisbury City councils, mooted the idea during a meeting of Salisbury Area Board last Thursday.

The event encourages motorists to give up their vehicles for a day. It is hoped an event in Salisbury could be held on September 22 to coincide with national car free day.

The initiative comes after both the city council and Wiltshire Council declared climate emergencies.

Cllr Hoque said: “This is a start, a small step, but we have to, like it or not, do things that will help benefit the environment.”

Cllr Hoque says the proposal for the initiative, which is in the very early stages, needs the public and businesses to get behind it to make the day happen.

“This kind of initiative could be an inconvenience but if you look at the overall benefit it outweighs the inconvenience,” he added.

The car free zone would be in operation in the city centre but Cllr Hoque says the “logistics” still need to be looked at.

“This is my call out for a car free day. It will be fantastic,” he said.

“The public and businesses need to join forces, only then it can be achieved.”

Cllr Hoque hopes to encourage communities across Wiltshire to join Salisbury and get involved. The proposal has been put forward to the area board’s air quality group. To get involved email AHoque@salisburycitycouncil.gov.uk