A senior councillor has stated his party is against a £42 million cycling scheme to “revolutionise” Enfield.

Leader of the opposition Cllr Terry Neville has gone against his predecessor in opposing the Cycle Enfield scheme.

The plans will see a transformation of high streets in the borough with the building of new cycle lanes.

However, Cllr Neville has stated that his party cannot support the scheme as it does not have “public support”.

He told the Enfield Independent: “It is manifestly plain that quite large numbers of public do not support this scheme.

“I have not seen such overwhelming opposition to any plans in Enfield like it.”

“While it's true that my predecessor as group leader signed a joint bid for funding, that was only ever on the basis that the council would produce schemes that commanded clear majority public support.”

Cllr Lavender signed the bid for funding with leader of the council Cllr Doug Taylor as the council secured £30m from Boris Johnson, the Tory Mayor of London.

Cllr Neville added: “If we take Waltham Forest there has been opposition. Small businesses are showing a 50 per cent downturn in profits in the past two years.

“High streets will suffer as people won’t be able to park there anymore. It is a recipe for chaos.”

Councillor Daniel Anderson, cabinet member for environment, has hit back at the Conservative leader, labelling him “disingenuous” and “dishonourable”.

He said: “I have great respect for Cllr Neville - they saw the benefits and transformation of a £30m proposal and signed up for it.

“I am interested by his perspective, because members of his cabinet have spoken on record as supporting this scheme and doing what they can to make it work.

“I can assure that what he is suggesting is not backed up by our results and what we are seeing and that the final schemes of each element will be shaped by the consultation.”

Cllr Anderson also dismissed the “evidence” businesses will suffer and said it has been proven to boost trade in other parts of the country.

He added: “We have an obesity and air quality crisis in Enfield and this scheme will cut those back. We are of course listening to the concerns voiced in the consultation and will shape the scheme around those thoughts.”