The full route will eventually provide a safe cycling route between Enfield Town and Broxbourne that avoids busy streets

The cycle route includes a previously inaccessible part of the New River between Tenniswood Road and Carterhatch Lane

A new £5.9million cycling and walking route following the New River through northern Enfield is set to open to the public for the first time this weekend, Enfield Council has confirmed.

While work on a section between Turkey Brook and Bullsmoor will continue for a few more weeks, from Sunday (25th) cyclists will be able to ride from Tenniswood Road in Enfield Town up to where the path joins the London Loop, near Forty Hall Estate.

The total 2.9km route of gravel track forms part of a bigger Enfield to Broxbourne cycle and pedestrian route – a scheme that begins at St Andrew’s Road in Enfield Town and ends at the bridge over the M25. Broxbourne Council is installing its own New River route from the M25 further north, to Wormley.

The new Enfield cycle track also allows public access to parts of the New River that had previously been closed off, such as that between Tenniswood Road and Carterhatch Lane.

Seating, lighting, information posts, bollards, cycle stands and rain gardens have been provided as part of the Enfield Council-led project, along with a new bridge over Turkey Brook.

This Sunday’s launch coincides with a family cycle ride in Enfield that forms part of London Cycling Festival and will follow part of the New River route. Places on the 5.5-mile ride between 10am and 12.30pm are free but limited, with people encouraged to register in advance via the London Cycling Campaign website here.

The festival also includes fun activities for all the family on Library Green in the heart of Enfield Town, from 10am-1pm, while a walk led by The Enfield Society, from 10am, will explore a historic part of Enfield Town. People can register for the walk by emailing [email protected].

The full route of the New River cycle track will be officially opened on Wednesday, 18th June.

For more information about the Enfield to Broxbourne cycling route:
Visit https://letstalk.enfield.gov.uk/enfieldtowntobroxbourne

For more information about London Cycling Festival:
Visit https://lcc.org.uk/events/enfield-london-cycling-festival

A previous version of this article incorrectly stated the total cost of the route as £4m instead of £5.9m

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