How well do you know the Nickey Line? Hertfordshire’s much-loved car-free path follows the route of a disused railway that connected Harpenden to Hemel Hempstead and Redbourn. On a sweltering July evening, Our Planet Our Future held an event along a small section of the route guided by Friends of the Nickey Line volunteer Roger Thornhill. A keen cyclist and walker who clocks up over a thousand miles a year, Roger was the perfect guide for our walk.
The birth of the Nickey Line
We covered about a mile of what Roger considered the most interesting stretch, from a railway history point of view. When railway mania swept the country around the mid-1800s, and many local lines were built., including the Nickey Line. Hemel Hempstead residents wanted a rail route into London and the original idea was to go via Boxmoor station, but the Box Moor Trust refused to allow a railway across their land. Instead, a line was built from Hemel Hempstead to Harpenden via Redbourn, with residents changing at Harpenden for London. It also linked to Luton, carrying plaited straw for the town’s straw hat trade.
Construction began around 1862 and the line opened in 1877, so next year marks its 150th anniversary. The Friends of the Nickey Line plan to mark it with a walk from Hemel Hempstead to Harpenden, timed to cross paths with a train on the parallel line.
One steep incline near the old 1081 crossing gave steam trains real trouble. Sometimes they needed three attempts, as the wheels lost traction and the train rolled back down before trying again.
Why is it called the Nickey Line? The name has a few theories. Some link it to the ‘knickerbockers’ worn by the navvies who built the line. Others trace it to the parish of St Nicholas in Harpenden.
Decline of the line
The Nickey Line was single-track and chronically underfunded. Fierce competition between rival railway companies meant money was always tight, a situation Roger likened to the space race. Steam trains ran until around the 1890s, when diesel units took over, and passenger services ended altogether around 1947.
After that, the line was bought by a brick-making company based near Hemel Hempstead, which needed materials brought in for breeze blocks. Wagons would come down the mainline to Harpenden before being switched onto the old Nickey Line sideline. Roger related how he’d often hear the strange, clunky rumble of a freight train pass though around midnight from his home near Ambrose Lane. Once that final freight use ended, all maintenance stopped too.
Managing the habitat
Once people stopped using the line, the trees moved in, turning the path into the wild, wooded trail we know today. It was bought by the local council and opened as a cycleway and footpath in 1985. Used by walkers, dog walkers, runners, cyclists, commuters and school pupils, it’s now a beloved part of Harpenden. The Friends of the Nickey Line was set up in 2006 to help maintain the line, manage the vegetation, plant saplings and wildflowers and help local residents make the most of the line.
As we walked, Roger explained how volunteers actively manage the vegetation along the line. Cutting back bushes (topping) lets grass return by itself, and creates a mix of vegetation at different heights, which benefits wildlife. Volunteers have also laid hazel hedges using traditional methods.
Interestingly, wildflowers tend to do better on poor soil, and the ground here is actually too rich for them. Volunteers have tried cutting and raking sections for years to strip out nutrients, but Roger admitted it’s a slow process.
Keeping the line accessible
Roger also spoke about the practical challenges of managing the trail today. Workdays typically draw around ten volunteers each September, but access for maintenance is difficult in places – they often have to bring materials in by wheelbarrow.
Surface improvements are an ongoing balancing act too. Surfaces need to be firm enough for cyclists to brake safely without skidding, but not so gravelly that it’s difficult for wheelchair users.
How you can enjoy the Nickey Line
Whether you’re a regular on the Nickey Line, or exploring it the first time, there are plenty of ways to enjoy it:
- Join in with celebrations to mark the 150th anniversary of the Nickey line. Keep an eye on the Friends of the Nickey Line’s website and Facebook page.
- Take a look at the users’ code so everyone can enjoy the Nickey line together.
- Volunteers are always welcome! Take a look at the Friends of the Nickey Line website for more information.
- For more about the history of the Nickey Line, read Branch Line to Hemel Hempstead and The Harpenden to Hemel Hempstead Line by Sue and Geoff Woodward
A huge thank you to Roger for guiding us along the Nickey Line and sharing so much of its history, wildlife and the stories behind it.
Our next event
At our next event, How to Make Sustainability Irresistible, two local speakers, Virginia Cinquemani and Judith Leary-Joyce, will talk about how to communicate sustainability in a way that gets your message across without alienating people. The talk takes place at The Harpenden Arms 7.30-9pm. Book your free spot here.
About Our Planet Our Future
Our Planet Our Future is Sustainable St Alban’s landmark series of talks and events to help you live a more sustainable life.
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