From the outburst of indignation about Cycle Enfield, which has appeared in the local press during the past few weeks, one would think that people were being threatened with the loss of their lives, not just the control over their cars and where they park them.

Fear of business losses seems to be behind much of the outcry and, of course, it is unfortunate that some business people were not initially consulted when Enfield Borough Council first put in their bid for the money. On top of that, calling it a Mini-Holland scheme was clearly a major mistake in trying to woo a country that already feels itself in danger of being minimised by the potential loss of one twelfth of its population (should Scotland happen to secede from the Union this month).

But it seems both of these mistakes have now been rectified, or will be soon when the main consultations take place in the autumn.

One factor that I have not seen much mention of is the fact that the potential loss of parking space for cars is not the only or even the most important threat to local shopping.

Big supermarkets sited in soulless out-of-town areas, and most of all the rise of internet shopping, are surely the two crucial issues.

Maintaining, or even increasing the number of small local car parks, which hopefully the council will consider doing, should help one of these problems. But surely the other solution is to improve the amenities of the local areas for all potential shoppers, car drivers, cyclists and pedestrians alike, and catering to the needs of all ages as well. This point was well made at a recent public meeting when the speaker forecast that town centres that are not attractive will simply die.

Jean Robertson-Molloy

Arlow Road, Winchmore Hill