The upgrade to the New River Path won planning approval in September

Work is set to begin on a new walking and cycling route along the New River in early 2024, Enfield Council has confirmed.

The upgrade to the New River Path, which includes opening up some additional parts of the 410-year-old waterway currently closed to the public, won planning approval last month despite concerns being raised by neighbours about noise, antisocial behaviour and loss of privacy.

The New River cycle track forms parts of a larger £4m project to create a safe cycling route between Enfield Town and Broxbourne. The first part of the Enfield section is already complete; it starts at St Andrew’s Road and continues along residential streets until reaching the New River at Tenniswood Road. From there it is now set to follow alongside the aqueduct for around 2.5km until the M25, before linking to a similar scheme being developed by Broxbourne Borough Council.

As well as the cycle and pedestrian path itself, which will be three metres wide, bench seats will be provided along the New River to allow people to sit and relax. Light columns will be installed every 30 metres. 

Rick Jewell, cabinet member for environment at Enfield Council, said: “The installation of the new walking and cycling route will bring significant benefits to the local community, including the delivery of a key travel link and improving junctions and crossings to enable more people to walk and cycle safely.

“The route will also connect with several schools and will provide a safer way for our children to travel to and from school.”

The council’s ‘journeys and places’ team commissioned and worked with planning consultants Turley to prepare the successful planning application. The next steps for the project are the submission of a minor planning application and the appointment of a contractor to carry out the work.

For more information:
Visit: letstalk.enfield.gov.uk/enfieldtowntobroxbourne

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