Opposition is entirely justified

That opposition, in particular to segregated cycle lanes on the A105 from the A406 to Enfield Town, is entirely justified.

As he suggests, one consequence will be the decimation of on-street parking outside shops in Palmers Green. He says customers can park in Lodge Drive car park and walk.

He then makes the absurd statement that a scheme to solely benefit cyclists will improve access to our high streets for the 30 per cent of households who do not own a car. That is when bicycles are used for less than one percent of journeys in the London borough of Enfield.

Let’s look at other facts:

1. Many people have mobility issues and can’t walk that far.

2. Parking charges: Lodge Drive – 30p minimum for up to 15 minutes or £1 minimum for up to to one hour on-street parking. Convenience shoppers do not want to spend £1 on parking, then spend ten minutes walking, just to buy a sandwich and a litre of milk.

3. People buying larger items need to load. Deliveries must be unloaded.

4. Enfield Borough Council is skint and London needs more housing. It is only a matter of time before the car park is sold off.

More generally, taking road space away from motor vehicles will worsen congestion, pollution and CO2 emissions. The tiny minority of cycling fanatics who believe they will benefit from the scheme seem oblivious, and the council in denial, of this fact.

A far more attractive and practical solution is a cycle highway, parallel to the A105 utilising for the most part, the New River path from the A406 to Enfield Town, working with Thames Water to open up sections currently closed to the public. Cyclists could even have priority at residential road crossings and a link could be made into Palmers Green by turning Hazelwood Lane into a shared space from the schools to Green Lanes. This really would create a pleasant green environment to encourage more people to cycle.

Paul Mandel

Ulleswater Road, Southgate