Greenway Route Design: how we connected Enfield Town to Broxbourne

Metis developed the detailed design of the 4.7km Enfield Town to Broxbourne greenway route design. The project was led by the London Borough of Enfield, with other stakeholders including Broxbourne Borough Council, National Highways and Thames Water. Following the release of LTN1/20, Metis reviewed and updated the design to ensure the cycle route followed the latest guidance. The route runs from Enfield Town station to Broxbourne, finishing where the New River crosses the M25.

London Borough of Enfield’s primary purpose for the project was to create an active travel route that will encourage healthier, greener and safer journeys. It forms part of a broader Enfield Town regeneration project to build a sustainable network that supports greener travel choices. Transport for London and National Highways pledged a £6 million investment for the route. This included 2.9km of shared use path running alongside the New River, and 1.8km of on-road cycling infrastructure featuring junction upgrades, new crossings, wayfinding signage and revised speed limits for safer travel.

The project also connects to several other routes, passing picturesque sites like Forty Hall and Capel Manor.

The Objectives

The intention was to split the greenway route design into two main sections. The first runs between Southbury Road and Carterhatch Lane: the Southern ‘on-carriageway’ section. This section runs through quiet residential roads with low traffic volumes. The objectives for this stretch of the greenway route design were to:

• introduce traffic-calming measures to ensure safe cyclist movements
• make the junctions with main roads safer, by proposing specific cyclist infrastructure
• encourage cycling by improving wayfinding and driver awareness, with an emphasis on novice cyclists

The second section is the Northern ‘off-carriageway’ section. Pedestrians and cyclists would share this part of the Greenway, through the provision of a 3m wide shared path along the riverbank. The improvements in this section focused on:

• providing the required level of service, so that these paths can be used safely by everyone
• improving pedestrian and cyclist crossing facilities where the path crosses a carriageway

The Solution

Having assessed the feasibility of an existing Outline Design, Metis delivered a preliminary design, detailed design drawings (including setting out plans, contours and construction relevant drawings), a Stage 1 and Stage 2 Road Safety Audit, and pre-construction information.

In order to deliver expert design work, Metis first organised a site walkover with the Highway Authority (HA) and Enfield to familiarise with the surroundings, before convening a workshop to define agreed milestones. Our design team ensured a greenway route design proposal that complied with TfL’s London Cycling Design Standards. This also highlighted any design gaps and opportunities for value engineering, including potential enhancements with Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS). Metis also commissioned a Road Safety Audit Stage 2, in order to address any issues raised by Road Safety Auditors.

Upon approval of the preliminary design, Metis issued a separate detailed design for the two greenway sections. This was because the on-carriageway sections entailed the most significant interventions and alterations, thus requiring greater stakeholder input and approval. By contrast, the off-carriageway sections were more consistent, with most requirements defined in the preliminary phase.

The Outcome

The route opened in June 2025, and now provides a quiet, safe and secure route that encourages more active travel. London Borough of Enfield views the project as a meaningful stride toward their net zero climate goals for the area, with an improved user experience thanks to new climate-conscious surfacing, signage, seating and landscaping.

Benefits of the route include:

• helping to keep children and adults healthy
• less reliance on cars, which in turn helps to reduce congestion and carbon emissions
• improving air quality
• safer crossings due to upgraded junctions
• greener and safer travel options for residents
• enhanced local biodiversity along the corridor

Interested in learning more about our work?

Explore some of our other Metis case studies to discover our recent projects.

If you’re seeking an experienced and passionate engineering team to partner with on your next project, get in touch with us today.