A concerned resident has criticised the county council for not maintaining a rundown path alongside a busy road.

James Betts, 60, of Gresford Close, St Albans, has described the path on Hatfield Road, St Albans, that runs up to Lyon Way, as “an absolute disgrace”.

He said that the footpath was very narrow with branches hanging out from nearby trees and claimed it “has never been looked after”.

He went on: “It’s been like that for over two years, probably more. It’s never been properly tarmaced and it’s a very narrow path.

“It’s a very badly left road with overhanging branches and that doesn’t make it easy to get past. It’s just an embarrassment to people.”

James maintained that the state of the path could potentially be dangerous for pedestrians.

He said: “People have to go close to the main road because of the mud and cars go steaming down that road at around 40 miles per hour.

“If someone got hurt it would make a mockery of this modern country.

“It’s just something that shouldn’t happen in this day and age; I know funding can be an issue but when people’s lives are at danger something should be done.”

He also claimed that people using mobility scooters or with pushchairs struggled to get along it because of its muddy state.

He added: “In the winter I saw someone in a mobility scooter trying to go down the road and his wheels were just going round and round because of the mud.

“I have a friend from Holland coming over in a wheelchair and we won’t be able to use that path,”

Working on behalf of Herts County Council, Ringway divisional manager, Kevin Carrol, said: “This section of footway on Hatfield Road has been inspected and in accordance with the county council’s defect management approach, no defects requiring immediate attention have been identified.

“There are currently no plans for future maintenance works here.

“However, given the local concern, this site will be added to a list for consideration as part of a countrywide vegetation clearance programme that is planned later in the year.”