Council officials have apologised to a frustrated Hatfield cyclist after failing to react to his warning of a large tree blocking a popular off-road route.

Andrew Scott, who lives in the Birchwood area, told both the borough and county councils on Tuesday, June 6 that a large tree was obstructing the Alban Way.

He told the Welwyn Hatfield Times that neither would admit responsibility, and the tree was still there on Friday.

Mr Scott, 50, said: “If it was a tree across a road, I am sure it would get cleared straight away. but because it is a cycle path, nobody does anything. The county council told me they didn’t own it and I had to contact the Land Registry.”

But on Monday, a borough council spokeswoman acknowledged the authority was responsible for the cycle path.

She said: “We apologise to Mr Scott for the wrong information being given. The details have been passed on to our Landscape and Ecology team who will ensure the tree is removed as quickly as possible.”

The tree fell across the Alban Way between Homestead Road and the bridge over Wellfield Road.