Dear Resident / Business Owner,

This is the first in a series of consultations Enfield Island Village Trust (EVIT) are undertaking to bring relevant matters to the community’s attention. Some of these issues are ongoing, but it is important to the current board of trustees that we listen to your opinion, so as to ensure that we act in the best interests of our community and EVIT.

This consultation is concerned with Enfield Council’s intention to remove the cobblestones on the approach road to Enfield Island Village and replace them with an asphalt surface. They state this is necessary due to the longer term implications of retaining block pavers, which we understand to be the further degradation of the bridge from water penetrating to the bearing shelf beneath which could lead to a quicker demise of the bridge than expected or to on going higher maintenance costs.

EIVT questions Enfield Council choice of replacement as an asphalt / tarmac surface is also not water proof and prone to the occurrence of cracks and subsequently potholes. We believe these will actually increase the frequency of bridge repair, which could potentially lead to an increase in disruption of yourneys on and off the island. EIVT has submitted alternative solutions to Enfield Council which we believe would address the above issue and keep the block pavers.

Additionally the patchwork of unsightly repairs would detract from the developments character which is itself subject to strict covenants preventing exactly this type of activity.

Finally we believe this action would remove an effective but unobtrusive traffic calming feature, the loss of which could endanger the lives of everyone using Smeaton Road, especially the school children crossing it every day.

To date, Enfield Council is unwillingly to discuss any alternative, and is preparing to undertake this work in the current financial year. Therefore we would appreciate hearing your own views on this matter, so please contact us by email: [email protected], fax: 01992 666 719, post or dropping it into us at EIVT, 35 Island Way, Enfield Island Village, Enfield, EN3 6GS.

For owners / long term lease holders with property on Enfield Island Village, we are updating our membership emailing list so if you didn’t receive an email version of this consultation, please send us your current contact details.

If you’re not a member, we implore you to join, there’s no additional charge (you’re already paying the annual rent charge) or obligation; simply download and complete a membership application available from our website www.eiv.org.uk.

Mark Novak

Chairman