London mayor Boris Johnson has called for the creation of new 'tranquil havens' in central London in a bid to provide residents and workers with a place to escape city life.

Addressing delegates at the Tranquil Spaces conference, Johnson said that it was important that Londoners were given an opportunity to have a quiet place as part of efforts to improve health and wellbeing. Johnson said: "Even in the busiest parts of London it is vital we can get away from the hustle and bustle. The importance of these oases of calm cannot be underestimated in making our quality of life better.

"We are also boosting tranquillity through additional street trees, park makeovers and the creation and protection of green spaces, particularly the new Olympic Park, where wonderful new wetlands will create a haven of tranquillity at the heart of Europe's biggest regeneration project." Working in partnership each of the borough councils, potential quiet areas could include Hampstead Heath, Regents Park, Dulwich Park and South Norwood Country Park.