I refer to the ongoing exchange of letters between David Hughes and myself.

We now seem agreed that well under one per cent of journeys in the borough are made using a bicycle and that kerbside parking in local shopping centres is necessary for trade and keeping the community vibrant.

Segregated cycle lanes will increase congestion, because this will reduce the amount for time on green for other vehicles, as cyclists will be given priority at controlled junctions.

In addition, there will be more delays and hold-ups with less road space available to overtake buses at stops and other parked vehicles.

Mr Hughes admits the segregated cycle lane beside the North Circular Road is little used. The same is true along Bramley Road. That road is more pleasant to cycle besides than the completed A105 scheme would be.

Why would commuters be more likely to switch from car to bicycle on a north-south route than an east-west one? Using his argument, the most pleasant cycle route would be beside a canal or river. Therefore, the best Enfield to Palmers Green scheme proposed is along the New River. Unfortunately, Mr Hughes and the council appear so blinkered as to miss this point.

Mr Hughes and his protagonist Karl Brown both criticise cars for the pollution they cause. But, they know, as drivers themselves, cars today are cleaner than ever, with this trend continuing as green technology becomes more advanced.

On the subject of asthma, mine is caused by pollen, not vehicle emissions. Do I propose we chop down more trees and forever lay more cement? Of course not.

To make cycling more attractive, Mr Hughes would like drivers restricted to 20mph. I challenge him to limit all his driving to 20mph. Is he even 100 per cent successful at driving within the current default urban speed limit of 30mph? I am.

Paul Mandel

Ulleswater Road, Palmers Green