Ideas to help improve travel along one of the busiest routes in Hertfordshire have been opened up to the public.

The county council has published a list of proposals for the A1(M) which runs north through the county.

The A1(M) growth and transport plans set out the council's plans for improving transport in the towns along the route, with proposals to reduce congestion and provide real alternatives to travelling by car.

The plans – one for the north of the area and one for the south - set out 51 packages of potential improvements along a broad corridor that includes towns along the A1(M) such as Baldock, Letchworth, Hitchin, Stevenage, Welwyn Garden City, Hatfield and Potters Bar, as well as a wider group of connected towns such as Royston, Wheathampstead, St Albans, London Colney and Borehamwood.

Proposals include:

• Public transport improvements around Hitchin rail station

• Better links between Stevenage, Hitchin and Luton Airport

• Improvements to Junction 8 of the A1(M)

• Upgrading the junctions between the A1(M) and the A414

• Better public transport and cycling routes between Welwyn Garden City and Luton, via Wheathampstead

• Improvements to walking and cycling routes within and between towns

Cllr Derrick Ashley said: "There are over 100,000 new homes planned for Hertfordshire by 2031 and over half of these will be in the towns along the A1(M) corridor. This will have a significant impact on the road itself, and more importantly for us on the towns along the route.

"We need to make improvements to the road network, but just as importantly we need to make walking, cycling and public transport more attractive and practical options.

"We want residents to tell us what they think about these A1(M) plans to help guide our future transport planning and investment. These are the changes we will look to implement over the next 20 years so we are really keen to hear from young residents on how they want to travel around the county in the future."

Residents can see the plans and give their views at www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/consultations.

The public consultation closes on March 30 2020.