A new walking and cycling route between Stonyhills and Sacombe Pound opened on Tuesday 26 September, providing a safe crossing of the A602 and improving cycling and walking connections in the area.

The new route will improve access between local communities, and links popular destinations either side of the A602. It has been delivered as part of Hertfordshire County Council’s Sustainability Strategy, and uses part of the old A602 before heading under the A602 at the new Dane End Bridge.

The cycling and walking route is part of the work to upgrade the section of the A602 between Watton-at-Stone and Tonwell, which opened to traffic in August. The upgrades are designed to bring this important link between the A1(M) at Stevenage and the A10 at Ware up to modern highway standards, reducing delays and improving journey times.

The A602 improvements have been funded by a £20m Local Growth Fund investment from Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and funding from Hertfordshire County Council, and delivered by construction contractor Tilbury Douglas.

Phil Bibby, executive member for Highways and Transport at Hertfordshire County Council said: "Whilst the upgrade of the A602 was crucial to help ensure Hertfordshire’s road network was fit for the future, I am delighted that we have been able to incorporate much needed improvements to local cycling and walking links within the project. I know how important active travel is to health and wellbeing, and I hope that many will be able to take advantage of the new route."

Hertfordshire LEP Board Member Richard Whitehead said: “With sustainable travel being a key component of our Clean Growth Strategy for Hertfordshire, this new route is a welcome addition to the local transport network, enabling and encouraging heart-healthy journeys by bicycle or foot. Together with the wider upgrade to the A602, we hope these new links will enable our residents and businesses to benefit from safer, faster and more convenient journeys for years to come.”

Hertfordshire County Council is delivering a series of improvements to walking and cycling infrastructure across the County through the Active Travel Fund. This includes schemes at North Road, Stevenage, and London Road, Buntingford. For more information about Active Travel, visit Improving walking and cycling across Hertfordshire (Active Travel Fund and Capability Fund) | Hertfordshire County Council

For more details about the A602 Improvement Scheme, visit www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/a602