Research suggests only 22% of adults in the borough are spending at least 20 minutes every day being physically active, reports Grace Howarth, Local Democracy Reporter

People walking along a footpath — credit TfL

Enfield is the least physically active borough in London, a new report has revealed.

Research by Transport for London (TfL) found only 22% of people aged 20 or older in Enfield achieved at least 20 minutes of active travel per day.

This means it has the lowest proportion of residents meeting the daily activity target out of all 33 London local authority areas.

Two years ago Enfield was ranked sixth lowest by TfL in its annual active travel survey, with Barnet, Hillingdon and Sutton among those less active, but now it has dropped into bottom place to become the laziest London borough.

Alex Atherton, a member of Better Streets for Enfield, said: “It is extremely disappointing to see that Enfield is bottom of the table for those engaging with active travel. The culture in Enfield is far too car dominant and we are not moving quickly enough.

“Just over half of journeys in Enfield are made by public transport, bike or on foot – well short of the 80% target set by mayor Sadiq Khan for 2041. Bus speeds are lower than most outer London boroughs.

“Most worryingly, child obesity rates are high and healthy life expectancy is low for both men and women. This has to change.”

Neighbouring Barnet borough scored marginally better than Enfield with 28% of residents hitting the 20-minute activity target, while Haringey more than doubled Enfield’s score, with 48%.

In its active travel report, TfL said inner London boroughs were more likely to achieve the target than outer boroughs, with the City of London, Kensington and Chelsea, and Westminster topping the table.

Alex said he’d like to see the borough become a 20mph zone “as far as possible” to make it safer for pedestrians and encourage more people to walk or cycle.

He also wanted more measures to improve bus speeds, greater enforcement action against parking on pavements, and further investment into segregated cycle lanes to create “a full network across the borough”.

Enfield already has among the most miles of protected cycle lanes in London, after winning ‘Mini Holland’ funding in 2014.

Update (10th April):

Sabri Ozaydin, cabinet member for climate action and placemaking, said: “We are working hard to create a safe and connected network of walking and cycling infrastructure, having already built new cycle lanes; cycle parking including hangars, hubs, Sheffield stands and micro-mobility bays, school streets, quieter neighbourhoods, and new and improved pedestrian crossings and footways.

“In addition to safe and accessible roads, residents are supported and encouraged to travel actively through our free cycle training programme that operates in schools and for adults and families, our free Dr Bike repair service which is delivered at eight locations across the borough, and the All Ability Cycling Hub that is held weekly and all year-round.

“We work closely with and support community groups and organisations including the London Cycling Club, Age UK, Enfield Children and Young Persons’ Services (ECYPS), the Family Bike Club and One-to-One Enfield to ensure that everyone has the opportunity and ability to travel actively. Last year we supported groups with small grants to set up walk and talk groups that now operate in the borough.

“As an outer London borough we have made significant progress on delivering active travel options for residents.”

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