Improvement works have commenced on The Emerald Way cycle route in Aylesbury and it has also been given a new name to coincide with Her Majesty The Queen's Jubilee celebrations.

The newly renamed Platinum Way will undergo roughly three weeks of renovation work, starting this week. Using funding from the Department for Transport, the works will include footway widening, new shared use cycleway crossing points and new signage along the route.

The 5km cycle route runs from Aylesbury Vale Parkway along Rabans Lane and through Fairford Leys into the town centre. The scheduled works will provide an improved connection from the Waddesdon Greenway and new Haydon Hill link into Aylesbury town centre.

The new route will pass through Somerville Park, providing a more attractive traffic-free option to Fowler Road. The routing will follow quieter roads and will include planting hedgerows, wildflowers and trees in the coming months.

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As part of the work, the Council is working with Chiltern Rangers to make Haydon Hill and Somerville Park a haven for wildlife and a nicer place to live. A number of community events have been set up to clear land, plant shrubs, bulbs and trees and carry out nature-themed art sessions. The events take place on 16, 17 and 30 May and local people are invited to get involved. To register visit: Emerald Way Environment & Community Art Project | Eventbrite

Steven Broadbent, Cabinet Member for Transport said: "I am delighted that with the help of this funding we are able to extend and further improve the network of cycleways in Aylesbury. As a Council we are committed to investing in our local green infrastructure, making it easier for more people to take advantage of the many and varied walking and cycleways we have in the county.

"The new Platinum Way will provide better connections in and around Aylesbury and promotes greener and more sustainable travel choices. Not only does this have benefits for our own health, wellbeing and lifestyle, it also has huge benefits for the environment, reducing congestion and improving air quality."

The works are due to be completed by 27 May.