Poorly designed cycle lanes on a busy main road have led to ten serious crashes in a matter of months, according to residents.

‘Floating’ parking bays built out into the A1010 Hertford Road to accommodate a section of the Cycle Enfield scheme have reduced passing distances and made drivers’ visibility worse, they claim.

This has led to collisions in which cars have been badly damaged or even written off completely.

The problems relate to a stretch of the road close to Tramways Avenue.

Local resident Bernard King said there had been about ten serious accidents in the past six months.

He said: “We did not have these accidents before – cars were parked near the kerb. Now they have done the cycling, they are stuck in the middle of the road.

“It is so ridiculous and dangerous; it is really badly designed.”

Philip Ridley, committee member at Enfield Transport User Group, said: “There simply is not enough room for parking, two cycle lanes and a two-way A Road in this location.”

Mr Ridley said the parking bays made the carriageway too narrow for vehicles travelling at speeds of up to 30mph.

He added that buses and other vehicles driving too close to the centre of the road to avoid vehicles in the parking bays lead oncoming drivers to swerve to avoid them, increasing their chance of crashing into parked cars.

Mr Ridley said the parking bays also reduce visibility for drivers pulling out of streets adjoining the road, increasing the risk of accidents – including collisions with cyclists.

He said the most dangerous section is around the two parking spaces in front of the northbound bus stop at Tramway Avenue, which force buses to pull out into the wrong side of the road both before and after the pedestrian crossing.

Mr Ridley suggested the scheme had been rushed through for political reasons, meaning elements of the design were flawed.

The Cycle Enfield scheme has previously come under fire over lane dividers – dubbed ‘orcas’ – which have caused accidents among pedestrians.

A council spokesperson said: “The designs for the A1010 have been through full consultation and have also been reviewed by Transport for London, to ensure they are satisfied with the plans including any potential impact on buses.

“We are making changes to create a safer road for everyone, which include a series of measures to help reduce speeds.

“The scheme complies with all relevant design standards and ensures that all vehicles can continue to safely travel along the corridor.

“The designs, including the new parking bays, have been subject to formal safety audits in line with best practice.

“An independent review of the parking around Tramway Avenue has taken place and, as a precaution, a parking bay has already been temporarily suspended.

“The situation is being actively monitored and further changes to parking arrangements will be made if necessary.”