New cycling and pedestrian facilities around hospital had been due to be completed last September, reports Simon Allin, Local Democracy Reporter

Bad weather and a burst water pipe have been blamed for delays to the roll-out of a cycling scheme near North Middlesex University Hospital.

The £1.25million Enfield Council project, designed to encourage people to ditch their cars and walk, cycle or use public transport, was originally expected to be finished in September last year, after being approved by the council in February.

But works on some sections of the project are still unfinished, while the completion date has now been pushed back to late spring following a string of setbacks. According to the council, the delays include “an emergency repair of a burst pipe by Thames Water, unforeseen ground conditions and adverse weather”.

Funded by the Department for Transport, the North Mid active travel scheme will run along Bull Lane, from the North Circular Road underpass to the boundary with Haringey.

Changes to the existing route include the installation of a segregated cycle track and a bus gate at the southern end of Bull Lane that cars will not be able to pass through, meaning those driving to the hospital from Haringey will need to use an alternative route.

The scheme has previously been criticised for restricting access to the hospital for people who may be unable to choose alternative transport modes, and almost nine in ten respondents to an initial public consultation said they opposed to the measures.

An Enfield Council spokesperson said: “A significant part of the construction works to deliver the North Middlesex Hospital Active Travel Improvements project have been substantially completed, including the segregated cycle track along Bull Lane, three new crossings at Bull Lane and Wilbury Way, amendments to the roundabout and the resurfacing of the footways along Bull Lane, south of its junction with Amersham Avenue.

“Due to the works being impacted by a number of factors, including an emergency repair of a burst pipe by Thames Water, unforeseen ground conditions and adverse weather, the remaining works are anticipated to be completed by late spring.”

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