Improvement works costing £250,000 are to be carried out to the Nickey Line in Harpenden to make the former railway track more accessible to residents walking and cycling.

The path is part of the National Cycle Network and is used by cyclists and walkers.

St Albans District Council is working with the charity Sustrans to improve access to the community by resurfacing the route from Holly Bush Lane to the former Roundwood Halt in Harpenden, using tarmac embedded with natural-coloured chips, replacing the old steps at Park Hill and creating a new access ramp at Ambrose Lane while retaining the existing steps. The work is scheduled to begin on January 6.

This comes after a consultation on proposals for the work was carried out by the Council earlier this year. Feedback has been used to help develop the final plans.

The works are being funded with money awarded to Sustrans from the Department for Transport’s ‘Improving Access to Communities’ Fund.

Parts of the route will be closed during the works. Details will be made available on the council’s website at: http://www.stalbans.gov.uk/nickey-line and in on-site notices.