Improvements are being made to five parks in Borehamwood and Bushey, as part of a borough-wide project to connect people to facilities and open spaces.

As part of this initiative, work is beginning to improve the greenways through four Borehamwood Parks; Aberford Park, Leeming Park, Brook Meadow and Haggerston Park, and Finch Way in Bushey.

Borehamwood Times:

Aberford Park, in Borehamwood

Work starts today within the Borehamwood parks to reduce hedges and some trees before the bird-nesting season.

Councillor Seamus Quilty, in charge of environment and transport, said: "Greenways are a network of largely car-free off-road routes connecting people across our towns and countryside.

"They encourage walking and cycling, on safe, high-quality routes that cater for all needs, linking schools, work and leisure, as well as offering a sustainable transport alternative.

Borehamwood Times:

Haggerston Park, Borehamwood

"Since the project began in 1999, 11 miles of greenways have been created or improved, in addition to the part of the network that already existed. This improvement work will ensure the greenways remain accessible pathways for people across Borehamwood and Bushey."

From February 6, more vigorous vegetation work will be starting through Leeming Park, Brook Meadow and Haggerston Park involving tractor mounted equipment. As a result, these parks will close for a short time to allow the tractor work to be completed.

Relevant security, signage and barriers will be in place during this time and alternative routes will be in place.

Borehamwood Times:

Leeming Park, Borehamwood

From February 13, vegetation clearance is taking place within Finch Way park in Bushey, to allow more light on the popular greenway route. The park will be closed during the week to ensure public safety whilst the tree work is completed close to the narrow pathways.

Cllr Quilty said: “This is an ongoing project to improve the parks infrastructure for the surrounding communities, providing a more natural habitat as an alternative route to commute.

“Improvements to the surfaces will be made where needed with the addition of some new routes and the introduction of a more diverse native species of plants improving the habitat to encourage wildlife.”

The Greenways route through Borehamwood will be called the Tykes water way as it follows the Tykes water channel through the parks. The Bushey greenway will be called Moatfield way including the Finch way route.