Green Ring opened
St Albans Green Ring – a continuous 6.5 mile cycling and walking route around the City – has been officially opened.
The ring connects many of the City’s green spaces, beauty spots and heritage sites as well as schools, workplaces, leisure facilities and residential areas.
It formed part of St Albans City and District Council’s 2009 Vision for the City and is intended to encourage green transport and exercise.
The route extends from Townsend in the north to Fleetville in the east, Sopwell in the south and the Verulam Estate to the west.
Deputy Mayor, Councillor Brian Gibbard, opened the ring at Bernards Heath on Thursday 25 October with the assistance of Cllr Salih Gaygusuz, Portfolio Holder for Business and the Community.
They were joined by children from Bernards Heath Junior School and members of the St Albans Cycling Campaign (SACC).
Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) and its Countryside Management Service (CMS) were also involved in delivering the joint project.
They were represented by Cllr Sandy Walkington, HCC Road Safety Manager Simon Brown and CMS Projects Officer Ellie Beach.
Cllr Gibbard said:
The Green Ring is a fantastic new feature for our City and I urge everyone to take full advantage of it.
It was a considerable challenge to link and enhance existing paths and cycle ways as well as create new ones to provide one continuous route. I am delighted all the various problems and obstacles encountered have been overcome and it is now complete.
Residents can now enjoy a relaxing walk or cycle in the fresh air without worrying about the traffic or they can simply use the route to commute around the City.
Cllr Gaygusuz said:
The Green Ring is a great example of partnership working with ourselves, the County Council and their Countryside Management Service all coming together to deliver this marvellous project.
It very much fits with our strategy of getting people out of their cars, and making cycling and walking a first choice when it comes to travelling short distances. This reduces traffic congestion, air pollution and inspires people to get healthy exercise.
Cllr Anthony Rowlands, Chair of the Council's Community, Environment and Sport Scrutiny Committee, said:
The Green Ring is an important addition to our local cycle network.
However, a great deal more needs to be done to improve facilities for cyclists in St Albans. Both County and District Councils must take an active lead going forward.
The Green Ring cost more than £1 million and was funded by both the District and County Councils as well as a Department of Transport grant.
Among the places linked by the Green Ring are Batchwood, Clarence Park, The Wick, St Albans Rail Station, the Sopwell Ruins, Westminster Lodge, the Roman Museum and Theatre, Verulamium Park and the Cathedral.
Some 13 green spaces are connected by the ring along with at least nine child-related destinations such as schools, play areas and parks.
PICTURE (Left to Right): Zoe Hilton, 11, Bernards Heath Junior School pupil, District Cllr Sandra Wood, HCC Cllr Sandy Walkington, HCC Road Safety Manager Simon Brown, Janet Barton of the SACC, Deputy Mayor Cllr Brian Gibbard, District Cllr Salih Gaygusuz, District Council Deputy Chief Executive (Commercial and Development) Richard Shwe, District Cllr Anthony Rowlands - Chair of the Community, Environment and Sport Scrutiny Committee, Keith Barton of the SACC, CMS Projects Officer Ellie Bean and George Logie, 10, Bernards Heath Junior School pupil. In the background, Bernard’s Heath Primary pupils.
Contact for the Deputy Mayor:
Alison Orde, the Mayor’s Civic Officer
Tel: 01727 819544, Email: mayoralty@stalbans.gov.uk
Councillor contact:
Councillor Salih Gaygusuz, Portfolio Holder for Business and Community
Tel: 01727 858289 Email: cllr.s.gaygusuz@stalbans.gov.uk.
Media contact:
John McJannet, Principal Communications Officer, St Albans City and District Council.
Tel: 01727 296130 E-mail: john.mcjannet@stalbans.gov.uk.