Green Ring

Recently, the Mayor, Geoff Harrison, formally opened a revamped play area at the Rec in Fleetville.  Half-term was clearly a great time to host a special day for the children, and a range of activities was brought to the play park to support the opening.

The permanent equipment now includes an activity boat, climbing unit and and slide.  Also part of the range of equipment are a fitness trail and swings.

The upgrade was paid for through Section 106 funding, and followed a research period linking the council and park users in a steering group.  The group assessed the range of equipment which best served the needs of the users of the park.

It is clear this corner of the Rec will be even more popular from now on.

Not just the Rec is receiving a makeover.  Fleetville is one of the districts which provides routes collectively known as the Green Ring, and improvements are being made to the new walking and cycling initiative.  The map below shows the roads adopted for the circular route around the city.  In the east new signposting will include a small section of Sandpit Lane, Lemsford Road, Jennings Road, Woodstock Roads north and south, Sutton Road and Alban Way.

The length of Hatfield Road which is to include a shared path for walking and cycling.

A particularly busy and congested portion, though, links Woodstock Road South and Sutton Road at Hatfield Road, where careful attention is being paid to the layout of the pubic space.  Fortunately there is a light-controlled crossing between the Post Office and Morrison's, and the report on the project determined that a small amount of the frontage owned by the store could be used to provide a short length of shared cycle/walking path.

The council is due to erect way signs shortly, but news regarding the Hatfield Road modifications have yet to be programmed.  Nine kilometres will be the full distance for those who wish to keep fit in a gentle way.  We don't need to wait for the signs; the roads and paths are already there, so this Spring we can be early discoverers of the Ring's delights.

The Green Ring of roads and paths around the city.  Map courtesy ST ALBANS DISTRICT COUNCIL.