Residents will have easier access to two waterways along the Grand Union Canal after a £350,000 upgrade plan was completed on Monday.

The work saw the towpaths resurfaced between Bridge Road, Langleybury and the Home Park Industrial Estate, Kings Langley and a further stretch between Iron Bridge Lock in Cassiobury Park to Moor Lock in Croxley Green was also renovated.

Project leaders hope the work will lead to more people visiting the canals and say the refurbishment will improve access to Hertfordshire’s countryside and parking.

Cash from the Canal and River Trust, Hertfordshire County Council, Three Rivers District Council and Watford Borough Council paid for the work.

James Clifton, enterprise manager for the Canal & River Trust, said: "This is a very popular stretch of the Grand Union Canal and this partnership with the local authorities has provided the money to make a real difference, by improving the quality of the towpath significantly and making it much easier for everyone to use."

Phase one of the project from Iron Bridge Lock Cassiobury Park to Grove Mill Lane was completed in July 2013 and phase two from Grove Mill Lane to Hunton Bridge was finished in September 2013.

Elected Mayor of Watford, Dorothy Thornhill, said: "We are pleased to provide funding for the towpath improvements.

"I’m hoping even more people will spend a few hours along the waterway, watching the colourful canal boats chug by and see what wildlife they can spot, whilst enjoying some gentle exercise and fresh air."