The consultation for the Green Lanes section of the ‘Mini Holland’ development is closing this Friday, 9 October. It’s a scheme to redevelop Green Lanes and three other major Enfield roads, funded by TfL. There is a vigorous campaign against it by local businesses because they think making Green Lanes less of a car park, and more friendly to cyclists and pedestrians, will damage business as people won't go there to shop.
I disagree - the whole area needs an overhaul and is constantly choked with cars. If it was a nicer place to go I would go there more myself – as it is it’s a scary place to cycle and an unpleasant place to walk. This scheme will radically redesign, green and regenerate this important commercial area (which includes Palmers Green). Available is a £30m pot to spend; if local people reject it, it will just be spent somewhere else.
The consultation is here:
http://cycleenfield.co.uk/have-your-say/a105-scheme-consultation/
There's an article in some depth about it here, by a cyclist so it’s naturally biased - but definitely worth a read:
But whatever you think it’s important the consultation gets a good response from a cross section of the community.
Replies
A very hot topic indeed in Palmers Green (and Winchmore Hill and Enfield Town). There is a Facebook where the live action can be tracked, "We Support Enfield Mini Holland" .
A short clip highlighting some of the issues was pointed out to me which I would certainly recommend.
https://youtu.be/fLP9mfLMmnc
‘Our Local Safety Schemes (LSS) budget is targeted at addressing locations where personal injury accidents have occurred. This programme seeks to prioritise locations to make the most effective use of the funding available, with pedestrian and cyclists accidents given priority’
Haringey Council 2015
So I asked them -
How many kilometres of LCDS (London Cycle Design Standards) segregated cycle track has Haringey built in
2014 / 15
2013 / 14
2012 / 13
2011 / 12
and the answer was . . . . . . . . 'nil'
So there you are.
The Enfield branch of the London Cycling Campaign have published a useful guide to responding to this consultation: http://enfieldcc.co.uk/
I agree - I would shop much more in Palmers Green if it was a nicer place to be. Very jealous that Enfield are potentially getting these transformational plans, Haringey's high streets desperately need this sort of vision to make them better places for people.
Very important too that this route continues when it crosses the border. The current proposal to route it up Palmerston Road will only work if that road is closed as a rat run for drivers joining the North Circular. As it stands, that route is completely unsuitable for the sorts of people (e.g. the young and the elderly) who will be enabled by these plans to make journeys by bike in Enfield.
Not sure why you think that article is biased - seems pretty balanced to me. But then I get about on a bike as well as in a car and on foot so maybe I'm biased too!
Hi Susie,
I replied to this consulatation a while back. Those who are against it fail to realise that the plans will improve the area for all users.
Thanks - yes I can see that. It is a bit depressing because this opportunity could be lost for good.