Fury surrounds plans to create a new a cycling scheme which could bar motorists from driving through Enfield Town.

Cycle Enfield plans seen by the Enfield Independent reveal that two-way traffic is set to return to Cecil Road, which loops around Enfield Town centre, for the first time in more than 20 years.

This would mean cyclists and buses could pass through – but no other traffic.

With plans for consultation set to be unveiled in late September, the possibility of only buses and cyclist going through the town has caused horror amongst shop owners, who fear for the future of their businesses.

Erdal Mehmet, of G.Mantella in Church Street, told the Enfield Independent of business concerns

He said: “We are concerned. We were promised six different plans were being looked at.

“We said at the time initial plans were submitted by the council to TfL to get the money, which showed just cycling through the centre of town and buses, that this would be unworkable.”

"I think you'll see more empty shops in the high street. As chairman of the business association, we are all concerned.”

The scheme, which saw Mayor of London Boris Johnson grant the borough £30 million to improve cycling, was set to have seven options for public consultation.

Yet Transport for London has confirmed to the Enfield Independent it will only fund four options, which all include two-way traffic around Cecil Road, only cycle and bus lanes through Enfield Town, as well as a cycle lane down London Road, and possibly a new bus stop at Enfield Town Park, in Cecil Road.

Linda Miller of the Enfield Town Residents Association told the Enfield Independent of Cecil Road residents’ outrage at the return of two-way traffic down their road.

She said: “Residents are extremely concerned about the potential damage the proposals will do to the viability of Church Street shops and the market, but we also have concerns about the impact on residents in surrounding streets.

“The council think that having money from TfL to make Church Street ‘look nicer’ will bring in more shoppers but if the shops are closed and the traffic to get there is horrendous then it’s difficult to see these changes having any effect other than to take Church St back into recession.

“The council say the changes will reduce pollution and improve air quality, but air pollution on Cecil Road will more than double under these proposals. When they were doing the recent tree works in Cecil Road one lane was blocked off and the whole of Cecil Road was at a standstill at 10am on a weekday morning – not even rush hour. With two-way traffic that’s what it will be like all the time.

“The ignorance and lack of thought that these plans reveal is beyond belief.”

A cyclist group has also raised eyebrows at the limitations to the consultation.

Chris Jephcott, a member of Enfield North Cycle Enfield Partnership, said: “I strongly support the principle of getting more people out of their cars on to bicycles but recent development has been alarming.

“Looking back at the history of the Enfield Town traffic circulation, the one-way circuit was established following concerns about the number of traffic accidents at mainly the western end of Cecil Road, one involving a large lorry.

“Given open minds it should be perfectly possible to develop a design that will benefit cyclists and all other users of the town centre. Change imposed by outside diktat should be unacceptable.”

A cycle lane cutting across the Enfield Town Library green could also be a new feature to the town.

Rejected options included a shared space for cars and bicycles along Church Street, Enfield Town and a roundabout where the Town meets London Road, and a cycle lane around Cecil Road.

A council spokesman said: “Enfield council is working to finalise the options for Enfield Town that we will be consulting on, options include removing eastbound traffic from Church Street so as to create a hugely improved pedestrian and shopping environment.

“This, in turn, will involve making Cecil Road two way. Our proposals are subject to detailed and extensive public consultation, which will start in late September and last for 12 weeks.

“Seven options were considered, but those that wouldn’t lead to the significant transformation expected for the town centre were rejected by both TfL (who are funding the project) and the council.”