Lib Dem councillors for the Alexandra ward are calling for Haringey Council to reopen a crucial part of London’s cycle network that Haringey Council has deliberately left blocked for months. The local cycle route connecting Wood Green to the Ally Pally has been closed off by the Council, cutting off the cycle link between the two locations.

Local Lib Dem councillor, Wayne Hoban, says that in a classic Haringey cock-up – the route was barred some months ago by the council’s Property Services Department, without the knowledge and cooperation of the Environment department. The Council has stuck a ‘no entry’ notice stuck on the huge blue gate that now barricades the route [see photo].

Local cyclists say that the route should be reopened and are demanding that Haringey Council takes action. Local cyclist and user of the route, Michael Poteliakhoff, says: “The blocked route forms part of the London Cycle Network – route 54 as the network maps clearly show.Even thought the Council has admitted the route should not be closed, nothing has been done. Anybody using the official maps would find the route is blocked.”

Local Lib Dem councillor Wayne Hoban, comments: “I have asked the Council to take urgent steps to remove the gate. What is the point of a local cycle network, if the routes can be blocked by the Council in this way?”