Forum topic: Further information and more time to comment on proposed PG to Pymmes active travel route

How the proposed route fits into the network of existing cycleways (solid lines) and proposed walking and cycle routes (dotted lines)

Enfield Council's Journeys & Places team has published more information and extended the deadline for submitting comments on its proposals for the Old Park Road to Pymmes Park Walking and Cyling Route. The new deadline is midnight on Sunday 18th June. An online engagement "webinar" will be held on Wednesday 14 June at 6pm.

The proposal is the latest in a series of planned routes designed to fill in gaps and extend the borough's existing active travel network, which comprises segregated cycle lanes, mainly along main roads, and walking and cycling routes along quiet streets and through parks. The aim of such schemes is to encourage car owners to drive less and to provide safer and pleasanter conditions for people who do not have the option of driving. This in turn works towards the objectives of taking pressure off the NHS by improving people's health and fitness and thus reducing levels of chronic disease, of improving air quality and reducing levels of noise and road danger - and, of course, encouraging the shift away from cars that is essential to tackle the climate change threat.

This earliest stage of design concept work is being funded by Transport for London. The engagement that is currently running will allow members of the public to submit suggestions for the design of the scheme and inform the team about issues that people face when walking and cycling in the area, eg difficulties crossing roads.

This will also present an opportunity to review how well existing sections of the route work for walkers, wheelers and cyclists - for instance, concerns have been raised about pedestrian safety when crossing Barrowell Green at its junction with Green Lanes, and also threats to the safety of cyclists caused by the behaviour of some drivers along the westernmost part of Barrowell Green, where cyclists share the carriageway with cars.

At particular points along the route the council is planning to review traffic speeds and volumeProgress on to detailed design work, formal consultation and implementation will only occur if and when further funding becomes available.

This particular proposal extends the usefulness of some schemes that have already been implemented: for instance, Old Park Road and Caversham Avenue already have low levels of motorised traffic, thanks to the Fox Lane low-traffic neighbourhood; and there is an existing cycling route between the southern end of Hoppers Road and the Hazelbury area of Edmonton (running via Stonard Road, Avondale Road, Eaton Park Road, Barrowell Green, Firs Farm Park and a subway crossing of the A10.

A recently published project overview document contains more information about the kinds of intervention that could be used, what further monitoring of traffic speeds the council will be carrying out, and how the route connects with other existing and projected parts of the network.