Enfield starts work on A105 Mini Holland project

Enfield is poised to begin work on the first phase of its £42 million Mini Holland project – starting with a segregated cycle lane on the A105.

The councillor in charge of the project says “future generations will thank us” for the bike-friendly initiatives now getting under way following an often bitter consultation period.

The borough council has however warned residents to expect disruption while works on the stretch of road, which runs from London Road through Park Avenue and onto Green Lanes, are carried out.

The green light for the works comes after calls for a judicial review were rejected, although the council says it has made some alterations to the original plans as a result of a consultation.

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The council’s cabinet member for the environment, Councillor Daniel Anderson, commented: “This once in a lifetime opportunity will improve the look and feel of our environment creating better streets for Enfield and more desirable destinations for shoppers and visitors. Everyone, young and old alike, will benefit.

“Our proposals are the culmination of an extensive engagement process with residents and businesses and it’s an incredibly exciting time for Enfield.

“Though there will be an inevitable degree of disruption while the works proceed, which we are doing our utmost to minimise, ultimately the benefits will hugely outweigh the temporary inconvenience.

“However,” he added, “as our population continues to grow, future generations will thank us for these visionary proposals.”

Enfield is one of three outer London boroughs to have received millions of pounds in funding from Transport for London (TfL) to encourage more people to cycle as well as improve streets and public spaces for everyone.

The southern section of the route takes in one of the capital’s longest streets – Green Lanes, which runs more than six miles from Winchmore Hill in Enfield to Newington Green on the borders of Islington and Hackney, passing through Haringey on the way.

That underlines part of the problem encountered when it comes to designing and implementing joined-up infrastructure in the city.

Since the A105 does not form part of the Transport for London (TfL) road network, responsibility for its streets rests with the boroughs concerned – so once it is out of Enfield, the Mini Holland funding, and the momentum behind it, run out.