MONDAY saw Clerkenwell Green’s first day as a place without parking spaces.

But while the sound of cars has gone, the sound of construction work will rumble on until the summer, when the works are expected to be finished.

Under a tranche of changes planned for the historic green, half the square will be paved – the shady side according to critics – while a road will remain on the other, allowing through traffic.

Seven trees are set to be planted, alongside four new benches.

All 43 parking spaces have gone while four delivery parking bays have been moved to nearby streets.

Clerkenwell Green is the scene of a yearly May Day celebration among a host of famous historical footnotes, including being where the Artful Dodger teaches Oliver Twist to pick pockets in Charles Dickens’ novel.