Transport projects at Watford Junction and the former Metropolitan Line extension have been named among ten priority projects in the county.

There are currently more than 100 significant infrastructure projects at various stages of development across Hertfordshire.

But a meeting of Hertfordshire County Council's cabinet on Monday (April 15) agreed to concentrate development on a shortlist of just 10 proposals, outlined in the ‘local transport plan delivery programme’.

Work will be undertaken to develop these 10 proposals to ‘deliverable’ status.

That would mean each scheme could then be considered for any funding through the county council, the government, the local enterprise partnership or otherwise.

A report to cabinet says the 10 priority projects would have first call on the council’s £2 million infrastructure fund.

But it says this would not rule out other options being progressed, should specific funding opportunities arise.

The shortlisted projects include the sustainable transport corridor in Gilston; the Watford Junction development transport infrastructure package and the western Watford Sustainable corridor (formerly Metropolitan Line Extension).

There’s the plans for the MRN A414 capacity scheme, between Watford and Hatfield; the A414 mass rapid transit; and the Hertford bypass and sustainable travel improvements.

Meanwhile, also included on the list are plans for the passing loop on the Abbey Line; eastern access to Hitchin Station; and the St Albans to Maylands (Hemel Hempstead) cycle route.

Also included as an item of the programme delivery list is the ‘principle of sustainable town travel’.

The 10 projects in the ‘delivery programme’ are also said to reflect emerging aims to prioritise walking, cycling and public transport, outlined in the Local Transport Plan 4 (LTP4).

At the meeting executive member for growth, infrastructure, planning and the economy Cllr Derrick Ashley said: “This supports what’s happening nationally and with other authorities.

“Most have come to the conclusion we just can’t keep building roads. We have to find other ways to persuade over to other methods of getting about.”

And council leader Cllr David Williams said: “Clearly LTP4 is  a very important document for us in terms of aspiration to change behaviour.

“Colleagues will recall we had £2million of funding behind that in order to bring forward projects and work them up to schemes that could be taken forward.

“Not only did we undertake a ground-breaking LTP4 – we also put resources behind it. This is setting out how those resources are going to be spent.”

Meanwhile executive member for children, young people and families Cllr Teresa Heritage said she was particularly excited by the potential increase in walking and cycling facilities.

“I know in my locality that’s what families are looking for,” she said. “Hopefully we can get on with it and start kick-starting something.”