Council axes plan for cycling route between Palmers Green and New Southgate

Move comes amid “review of council’s priorities” under minority Conservative administration but the decision has been criticised by the opposition Labour group

A cycle crossing and (inset left) Labour councillor Ian Barnes and (inset right) Tory councillor Paul Pratt

Enfield Council has announced the cancellation of a proposed cycling and walking route amid a “review of priorities” under the Conservatives.

The active travel scheme, first announced and consulted on last November, proposed using quieter residential streets and traffic-calming measures to guide people cycling or walking between New Southgate and Palmers Green stations, as well as Arnos Grove Station.

The route was proposed to run along the boundary of the Fox Lane low-traffic neighbourhood (LTNs) and provide a connection to the Barnet borough border via Arnos Park, and also included small sections of segregated cycle lanes along busy roads such as Aldermans Hill, Wilmer Way and Bowes Road, plus a cycle path through Arnos Park.

However, in an announcement this week on the council’s project page for the active travel route, the council issued an update and said: “Following a review of the council’s priorities by the new administration, the proposed New Southgate Station to Palmers Green Station walking and cycling project will not be taken forward.

“Thank you to everyone who took the time to share feedback during the development of the project. Your comments, along with input from businesses and local stakeholders, helped inform the council’s consideration of the proposals.

“While the wider project will not proceed, the council is exploring the next stage of design for improvements to the pedestrian crossing on Broomfield Lane.

“This location has been identified as a priority for safety improvements based on collision data, traffic surveys and feedback from the local community. Proposed changes include upgrading the existing crossing, widening footways at the crossing point and introducing raised tables to help create a safer and more accessible route for people walking through the area.”

The minority Conservative administration at Enfield Civic Centre, which took power in May, is taking a far more pro-motorist approach to transport in the borough, with the Tories in the run-up to the election promising to axe some cycle lanes and LTNs. However, such moves have been tempered by the failure of the Tories to win an outright majority.

Axing the New Southgate to Palmers Green active travel scheme, therefore, represents the first firm decision by the Conservatives to row back on the previous Labour administration’s pro-cycling agenda.

On social media Paul Pratt, a Tory councillor for Arnos Grove, welcomed the news and said: “Having campaigned from day one to scrap this nonsense scheme, I’m happy to announce that Enfield Conservatives have cancelled this scheme.”

However, Ian Barnes, the opposition Labour group’s environment spokesperson, said: “It is deeply disappointing that Enfield’s Conservatives have cancelled this walking and cycling scheme, and are now boasting about it on social media. Making our streets safer for children, particularly on their journeys to and from school, should be an absolute priority and always will be for Enfield Labour.

“Parents deserve safe routes like these that give them confidence to let their children walk or cycle to school. The Tories must explain how they will build these routes now they have abandoned yet another project.”

While the decision made this week has not been subject to any vote by councillors, Cllr Barnes also blamed the borough’s five Green councillors for “enabling the Conservatives to take control”.

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