There will be a grand opening, or reopening, this Wednesday evening on the path just south of Luton.

Sustrans has been working with local authorities to upgrade the Lea Valley Walk between Luton Airport Parkway and Harpenden to make it part of the national cycle network.

This means that walkers will find that the first stretch, parallel to Luton Hoo, is metalled. Although some will not like this, or the cyclists sharing the path, the scheme has provided a new safe route. Walkers do not now have to cross a dangerous road and then walk along the bottom of an airport runway .

The opening ceremony at 6pm is on a new bridge near East Hyde which which makes crossing the Lower Harpenden Road much safer.

See pages 29-34.