Alban Way

The Alban Way is a cycle path in Hertfordshire, England, that has been constructed along the route of the former Hatfield to St Albans railway line. It runs from St Albans, close to St Albans Abbey railway station and the site of Roman Verulamium, through Fleetville and Smallford to Hatfield, ending close to Hatfield railway station. It is 7.5 miles (12.1 km) long. Several station platforms still exist along the track, and some are in relatively good condition. A station building still stands at the London Road exit in St Albans, which has been converted into a nursery. There is a graveyard close to the track opposite Longacres park; most of the graves are covered and few remain intact but they all come from the mental hospital that used to exist in the area.[1] This area has now been regenerated into a remembrance park with a plaque describing the story behind the gravestones, including some details about specific patients.

The route is paved throughout, though rough in places, and has few steep slopes making it a good off-road route for children.

It is part of National Cycle Network route 61, which runs from the River Thames at Maidenhead to the River Lea in Ware. The section from Welwyn Garden City to Ware is called the Cole Green Way.

In Hatfield the route joins the Great North Way (National Cycle Network route 12) and in St Albans will link to National Cycle Network route 6.

There has been some indication that the railway may be reinstated in the future as an extension to the proposed Abbey Line tram system.[2]

Bus connections

Uno bus route S4 provides a link to the start of the route by Cottonmill Lane. Passengers should alight at Weyman's.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "The Cemetery, Hill End Hospital, St Albans, 20th Century".
  2. ↑ "St Albans Abbey tram-train announced". Railway Gazette. 30 October 2009. Retrieved 4 June 2010.

External links

Coordinates: 51°45′07″N 0°15′32″W / 51.752°N 0.259°W / 51.752; -0.259

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