The decision means that street party organisers will not have to pay the normal charges associated with a street closure.

A wide range of community events are expected to take place on Car Free Day London – which falls on Sunday, September 22.

With their streets free of traffic and closed to passing vehicles, children will be able to play safely in the road space outside their homes while mums and dads will have the chance to join in the fun and games or spend time chatting and meeting new friends.

To qualify for a free street closure, residents and community groups need to apply online by 5pm on Friday, August 23.

The normal costs involved with a pre-planned road closures, such as drawing up and publishing legal notices, will be met using specific funds promoting sustainable travel and air quality initiatives – keeping the whole thing free of charge for Wandsworth residents.

Last month the council approved the borough’s first “Play Streets” scheme outside Granard School in Putney, which saw dozens of children and their parents enjoying a car free playtime outside the school gates.

And proposals have been drawn up to pilot a similar “School Streets” initiative at five local primary schools in the coming academic year. The scheme would see the roads containing school entrances closed to traffic when pupils arrive in the mornings and leave in the afternoons, in a bid to encourage safer and healthier travel to and from school, while also helping to boost air quality levels.

Transport spokesman Cllr Paul Ellis said: “Car Free Day will give our residents the opportunity to stage some fantastic community events that provide safe outdoor space for families to enjoy while at the same time encouraging others to give up their cars for the day and use other forms of sustainable transport."

Event organisers must bear in mind that not all streets in the borough can be closed to vehicle traffic, especially those which contain bus routes, busy junctions and commercial properties needing deliveries. The council also has no authority to close roads that are part of the red route network.