Hertfordshire County Council is asking members of the public for their views for the future of travel in the county.

Forecasts for the next 35 years predict that the county’s population will have grown by around 400,000 to more than 1.5 million, hugely impacting congestion and journey times, particularly during peak travel periods.

The Transport Vision for Hertfordshire, which opened for the public to comment on Friday September 23, sets out a programme of transport improvements to help deal with this growth.

READ MORE: Rail link between Watford and St Albans could be converted into 'busway'.

Hertfordshire County Council wants residents views on a number of major schemes, including:

• Sustainable Travel Towns – to improve sustainable transport links in Hemel Hempstead, St Albans, Stevenage and Watford.

• Access to East Hemel Hempstead – to provide better transport links to new homes to be built between Hemel Hempstead and St Albans.

• Hertford Bypass –to address traffic congestion and sustainable travel in the town.

• A414 upgrades –to improve junctions around Hemel Hempstead, Hatfield and Welwyn Garden City, London Colney and East Hertfordshire to the north of Harlow.

• Bus rapid transit – to create fast, reliable bus connections from Hemel Hempstead to Hertford, serving St Albans, Hatfield and Welwyn Garden City, and another link between Watford and St Albans.

As well as major schemes to make significant improvements to travel in Hertfordshire, the council is also consulting on wider policies to manage the extra strain on the transport network.

The council says that, looking 15 years into the future, a journey that takes an hour now will take 15 minutes longer, meaning its new Vision for Transport must consider how it react to these challenges.

It wants to hear the views of people who live and travel in Hertfordshire on:

• How it can design our streets and places to support reductions in car use and greater use of sustainable transport.

• How it can increase levels of cycling, especially for short journeys in urban areas.

• How it can encourage shared mobility, for example car and lift share schemes.

• How it can create better public transport links, such as priority bus lanes.

• How it can use technology to manage roads in real-time.

• How it can look at areas separately to address local needs.

Derrick Ashley, cabinet member for transport, said: “Our strong and successful economy and our thriving communities are built on the bedrock of an efficient and reliable transport network.

“However we know by 2050 things will be very different to today, and the decisions we take now will influence the kind of transport network we will have then.

“Don't miss out on your chance to have your say and make suggestions on the major projects and policy changes we require so we can ensure that Hertfordshire continues to be a county of opportunity.”

To take part in the Transport Vision for Hertfordshire visit: www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/transportvision2050

The deadline for responses is Wednesday December 14.