Cole Green Way
Encyclopedia
The Cole Green Way is a rail trail
which runs east-west from the eastern edge of Welwyn Garden City
to Hertford
in Hertfordshire
. Part of National Cycle Network
Route 61, and the Lea Valley Walk
, it runs for more than six miles along the former Hertford, Luton & Dunstable branch line from Welwyn Garden City railway station
to Hertford North railway station
.
was added to the Great Northern Line from London Kings Cross, which gave faster access to Hertford North railway station
. Prior to the Loop opening, trains on this branch terminated at Hertford Cowbridge
. It closed completely to goods traffic on 1st August 1962 and the track was lifted shortly afterwards.
The former trackbed has been used as a public footpath since and was refurbished by the local council to provide better facilities, including a public car park at what was Cole Green railway station. The route is largely flat which makes it popular with walkers, horse-riders and cyclists.
at Cole Green Lane, the route heads east towards the household recycling centre by the A414 with an underpass to allow access to Cole Green railway station. There are bridges at Station Road by Cole Green and Chapel Lane near Letty Green. A further bridge was filled in further along which means users must cross a country lane before rejoining the trail. At Mary's Lane there is another bridge just short of what was Hertingfordbury
railway station, now a private residence, and then the trail finishes by Hertford Football Club and the viaduct south of Hertford North railway station
.
area. The other two include Alban Way
from Hatfield to St. Albans and Ayot Greenway
which connects Welwyn Garden City
to Wheathampstead
.
Rail trail
A rail trail is the conversion of a disused railway easement into a multi-use path, typically for walking, cycling and sometimes horse riding. The characteristics of former tracks—flat, long, frequently running through historical areas—are appealing for various development. The term sometimes also...
which runs east-west from the eastern edge of Welwyn Garden City
Welwyn Garden City
-Economy:Ever since its inception as garden city, Welwyn Garden City has attracted a strong commercial base with several designated employment areas. Among the companies trading in the town are:*Air Link Systems*Baxter*British Lead Mills*Carl Zeiss...
to Hertford
Hertford
Hertford is the county town of Hertfordshire, England, and is also a civil parish in the East Hertfordshire district of the county. Forming a civil parish, the 2001 census put the population of Hertford at about 24,180. Recent estimates are that it is now around 28,000...
in Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England. The county town is Hertford.The county is one of the Home Counties and lies inland, bordered by Greater London , Buckinghamshire , Bedfordshire , Cambridgeshire and...
. Part of National Cycle Network
National Cycle Network
The National Cycle Network is a network of cycle routes in the United Kingdom.The National Cycle Network was created by the charity Sustrans , and aided by a £42.5 million National Lottery grant. In 2005 it was used for over 230 million trips.Many routes hope to minimise contact with motor...
Route 61, and the Lea Valley Walk
Lea Valley Walk
The Lea Valley Walk is a long-distance path located between Leagrave, the source of the River Lea near Luton, and the Thames, at Limehouse Basin, Limehouse, east London. From its source much of the walk is rural. At Hertford the path follows the towpath of the River Lee Navigation, and it becomes...
, it runs for more than six miles along the former Hertford, Luton & Dunstable branch line from Welwyn Garden City railway station
Welwyn Garden City railway station
Welwyn Garden City railway station serves the town of Welwyn Garden City in Hertfordshire, England. The station is approximately north of London Kings Cross on the East Coast Main Line. Welwyn Garden City station is managed and served by First Capital Connect.-History:A station named Welwyn...
to Hertford North railway station
Hertford North railway station
Hertford North railway station is one of two stations serving the town of Hertford in Hertfordshire, England with the other being Hertford East railway station....
.
History
The original line opened on 1st March, 1858 and operated passenger traffic until 18th June, 1951. It was never a busy branch line and numbers descreased quickly after the Hertford Loop LineHertford Loop Line
The Hertford Loop Line is a branch of the East Coast Main Line, providing a commuter route to London for Hertford and other Hertfordshire towns...
was added to the Great Northern Line from London Kings Cross, which gave faster access to Hertford North railway station
Hertford North railway station
Hertford North railway station is one of two stations serving the town of Hertford in Hertfordshire, England with the other being Hertford East railway station....
. Prior to the Loop opening, trains on this branch terminated at Hertford Cowbridge
Hertford Cowbridge railway station
Hertford Cowbridge railway station was a station on the Hertford and Welwyn Junction Railway, and was situated in Hertford, England.-History:The station was opened on 1 March 1858, originally being named Hertford Cowbridge...
. It closed completely to goods traffic on 1st August 1962 and the track was lifted shortly afterwards.
The former trackbed has been used as a public footpath since and was refurbished by the local council to provide better facilities, including a public car park at what was Cole Green railway station. The route is largely flat which makes it popular with walkers, horse-riders and cyclists.
Route
Starting on the eastern edge of Welwyn Garden CityWelwyn Garden City
-Economy:Ever since its inception as garden city, Welwyn Garden City has attracted a strong commercial base with several designated employment areas. Among the companies trading in the town are:*Air Link Systems*Baxter*British Lead Mills*Carl Zeiss...
at Cole Green Lane, the route heads east towards the household recycling centre by the A414 with an underpass to allow access to Cole Green railway station. There are bridges at Station Road by Cole Green and Chapel Lane near Letty Green. A further bridge was filled in further along which means users must cross a country lane before rejoining the trail. At Mary's Lane there is another bridge just short of what was Hertingfordbury
Hertingfordbury
Hertingfordbury is a small village and civil parish in Hertfordshire, England, close to the county town of Hertford. It was mentioned in the Domesday Book.-Location:...
railway station, now a private residence, and then the trail finishes by Hertford Football Club and the viaduct south of Hertford North railway station
Hertford North railway station
Hertford North railway station is one of two stations serving the town of Hertford in Hertfordshire, England with the other being Hertford East railway station....
.
Other Rail Trails
The Cole Green Way is one of three rail trails in the Welwyn HatfieldWelwyn Hatfield
The Borough of Welwyn Hatfield is a local government district in southern Hertfordshire, England.Its covers the two towns of Welwyn Garden City and Hatfield, along with numerous smaller settlements from Woolmer Green in the north to Little Heath in the south. Each of the towns has a railway station...
area. The other two include Alban Way
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...
from Hatfield to St. Albans and Ayot Greenway
Ayot Greenway
The Ayot Greenway is a rail trail which extends from Ayot St. Peter, just west of Welwyn Garden City and the A1 Motorway to Wheathampstead in Hertfordshire...
which connects Welwyn Garden City
Welwyn Garden City
-Economy:Ever since its inception as garden city, Welwyn Garden City has attracted a strong commercial base with several designated employment areas. Among the companies trading in the town are:*Air Link Systems*Baxter*British Lead Mills*Carl Zeiss...
to Wheathampstead
Wheathampstead
Wheathampstead is a village and civil parish in the City and District of St Albans, in Hertfordshire, England. It is north of St Albans and in the Hitchin and Harpenden parliamentary constituency....
.