Work on a much-anticipated cycleway finally commenced this week, with hope the planned route will encourage more people to dust off their bicycles.

Construction of the £1 million Green Ring scheme – a joint venture by Herts county council and St Albans district council – will see the creation of new cycle paths and road crossings and link up the current cycle and road network to create a 9km route circling the city.

The work is expected to last nine weeks but is weather dependent.

Council leader, Cllr Julian Daly, said: “The Green Ring will make it easier for people to get around St Albans on foot or on bicycle.

“Once this work is finished in the spring, the Green Ring will be open for everyone to use, helping to enhance their enjoyment of our beautiful city.”

Cycling and walking paths along the route are currently being updated and work to link the paths will be carried out at key junctions.

The scheme will include Hatfield and Sutton Road around Morrisons, Holywell Hill at the junction with Prospect Road, Verulam Road between Branch Road and Oysterfields, Waverley Road, at the junctions with Ladies Grove and Everlasting Lane, Batchwood Drive to Harpenden Road and onwards to Heath Farm Lane.

It will also include Sandridge Road to Sandpit Lane, through Boundary Road, Lemsford Road through to Jennings Road and Woodstock Road North.

Terry Douris, cabinet member for highways, said: “The concept of the Green Ring is designed to increase use and enjoyment of the city’s green space.

“Providing easy and attractive cycle and walking routes will also help to improve health and well-being for local residents.

“We understand that these works are likely to cause a degree of inconvenience and would ask everyone for their co-operation while the work is in progress.”

For more information visit www.hertfordshire.roadworks.org.

blob* Cyclists wanting to travel from St Albans to Hemel Hempstead or vice versa along the A4147 are not so lucky.

Work started on a cycleway several years ago with the intention of it running along the length of the Hemel Hempstead Road from Leverstock Green to the King Harry Lane roundabout.

But sections of the the cinder path which were completed have fallen into disrepair and this week a spokesperson for the county council confirmed there were no current plans to improve the cycle/footpath along the busy road where there have been several fatalities in recent years.

The spokesperson said: “If users are experiencing problems with sections of it being overgrown, we would urge them to let us know using the fault reporting system at www.hertsdirect.org/highwayfaults.”