After years of having to endure a path through central St Albans that was both uncomfortable and hazardous, cyclists are now celebrating a more comfortable surface to ride along.

The Alban Way, a trail for walkers and cyclists linking the city with Hatfield, boasts new Tarmac – about 4.5 kilometres in total – from Cottonmill Lane to Station Road in Smallford.

The major resurfacing programme has been praised by Peter Wares, a cyclist and former spokesman for the St Albans Cycle Users Group, who said the improvement was “long overdue”.

He said that ever since the former railway track was reopened in 1985 for walkers and cyclists, the latter have been unhappy with the deterioration of long stretches of the Alban Way, resulting in a rough, bumpy surface.

But he warned: “The new surface is both faster and quieter and cyclists should bear this in mind when approaching pedestrians, especially those with young children, and give them a warning ring of their bell upon approaching them.”

Peter said that with the former railway track celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2015, “this is another reason to promote what is now part of St Albans’ rich heritage”.

Mayor of St Albans Cllr Annie Brewster said the new surface made it easier for cyclists and walkers to navigate in any weather.

St Albans district council’s portfolio holder for community engagement Cllr Beric Read said the Alban Way had been upgraded as part of efforts to create a green ring around the city.

He explained that this would provide an alternative to travelling by road.

There is just a small section of the path left to be improved – to the rear of Morrisons where access is currently restricted by an oak tree – but this is due to be completed by the end of March next year.