Cyclists took to their bikes to test out the newly resurfaced Alban Way on Tuesday.

They were joined by the mayor of St Albans, Annie Brewster, and pupils from St Alban and St Stephen Infants and Junior Schools, who were embarking on a treasure hunt to celebrate the new-look path.

Buster the walking bus mascot was also present to see the school children off along the Alban Way.

They were all celebrating improvements to Alban Way, a trail for walkers and cyclists that links St Albans with Hatfield.

While the children walked to school looking for letters spelling out "walking", the cyclists from St Albans Cycle Campaign, British Cycling and Skyride Local were preparing to cycle to Smallford.

The re-surfacing work has involved laying new tarmac on approximately 4.5 kilometres of path from Cottonmill Lane, St Albans to Station Road, Smallford.

The path will form part of a green ring round St Albans providing cyclists and walkers with an alternative to travelling by road. It is part of St Albans District Council’s strategy to promote active travel in the District by improving existing facilities for cycling and walking.

The Green Ring is jointly funded by the District Council and Hertfordshire County Council using money from a bid to the Department for Transport and other funds.

The work to Alban Way was undertaken on behalf of the District Council by Hertfordshire County Council‘s Highways Services Term Contractor, Ringway.

Councillor Beric Read, Portfolio Holder for Community Engagement and Localism at the district council, said: "The Alban Way was upgraded as part of the district council’s vision to create a green ring round St Albans.

St Albans & Harpenden Review:

"This green ring will enable cyclists and pedestrians to travel around the city with minimal use of roads. This means that there is only a very small section of the path left in the district to be improved. This further work will be completed by the end March 2014."

This small section is located to the rear of Morrisons supermarket where access along the path is currently restricted by an oak tree.

Design options are currently being consulted on with residents and stakeholder groups. The documents are available for comment at: http://www.stalbans.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/yourviews/consultations/default.aspx until the end of the consultation on December 12.