Construction has begun on the latest section of a multi-million pound network of cycle lanes.

Work began last week on the A1010 South Corridor section of Cycle Enfield, which will run from Ponders End to White Hart Lane.

The new cycle route will be physically separated from traffic to ensure cyclists are protected from cars and buses.

Cycle Enfield – a £42 million scheme that is expected to take four years to complete – aims to cut congestion and pollution by encouraging people to cycle more through the provision of better quality infrastructure.

It is part of a plan to ensure five per cent of journeys in London are made by bicycle by 2026.

But the scheme has come under fire over an alleged lack of public support and its potential to cause disruption to local businesses during the construction phase.

The A105 section of the route, linking Palmers Green to Enfield Town, was completed in March.

Speaking after the opening of the A105 lanes on March 11, Enfield Council’s cabinet member for environment, Cllr Daniel Anderson, said: “It was absolutely fantastic to see so many people celebrating the culmination of three years of hard work with the completion of the A105 cycle lanes.

“As the scheme has developed we have gradually seen ever more people – young and old alike – using the lightly segregated lanes with increased confidence.

“At our family ride we witnessed literally hundreds of people on their bikes riding the route en masse, which was a truly phenomenal experience.”