ELDERLY residents on a street where cycle lanes will be installed between a bus stop and pavement say it is an “accident waiting to happen.”

People living in Westwood Court in Village Road, Enfield, will have to cross the cyclists’ path with their Zimmer frames when they get off the bus.

The plans are part of the Cycle Enfield scheme being introduced in the town centre and will see street parking on Village Road removed to make way for cyclists.

Joan Thornton, 77, said: “I think it is an accident waiting to happen.

“I broke my hip last March and I am going to have a job getting on the bus when there is a cycle lane in front of the bus stop.

“I am appalled that the council have not taken us into consideration. They don’t care about the needs of the elderly and the blind.

“I chose to live here because there is a bus stop outside and I can walk to the shops nearby.

“But if the parking goes the shops won’t do any business and they won’t survive.

“We will be isolated here if our families cannot visit us because they cannot park.”

Campaigners argue that Village Road is too narrow to fit two cycle lanes and will mean emergency services will be unable to get through because traffic will have nowhere to pull in.

Geoff Gladwin has joined campaign groups Save Our Green Lanes and Save Our Enfield who are fighting the plans.

The 83-year-old said: “It is going to be a disaster.

“The cyclists will have the right of way so if an old person forgets to look when they get off the bus they will get knocked down.

“The road is too narrow for the cycle lanes.

“There will be no room for emergency vehicles to get past because when a bus stops all the cars behind will have to stop as well.

“I stood out there between 8am and 9am one morning and only saw four bikes go past so it is pathetic what the council are doing for cyclists.”

Ivy Callen, said and her fellow residents at the retired living home wrote letters to the council and signed petitions but heard nothing back.

The 91-year-old said: “I am very angry about the council doing this for a few bicycles.

“It is going to be absolutely chaotic and it makes me worried and we shouldn’t have to worry about this at our age.”

Ivy’s son John Callen, who is her carer, said: “I am very concerned for my mother’s welfare.

“The cycle lanes will take away the parking and if there is not enough parking I will have to drop my mother at the door and drive off looking for a space.

“I think it is hugely dangerous.”

Manager of Westwood Margaret Barker said she feels sorry for the residents, who range in age from 65 to 97.

She said: “It is going to be a nightmare.

“I feel sorry for the elderly men and women here and it is very worrying.

“I cannot see why they cannot put a cycle lane in the back streets and not the main road.

“The council didn’t consult us about this and no one takes any notice of us.”

An spokesman for Enfield Council said: “We consulted extensively on the A105 Cycle Enfield Scheme and made a number of changes to the scheme following feedback from businesses and residents living along the route.

“Safe crossing points will be created at bus stops along the route and detailed surveys have identified sufficient parking capacity in the area to compensate for the loss of space near Westwood Court, which also has its own dedicated car park 

“Cycle Enfield is a once in a lifetime opportunity to transform Enfield, rejuvenate its high streets and encourage more sustainable forms of transport. 

"This £42 million scheme funded by the Mayor of London will provide massive benefits to the borough now and in the future.”