Hitchin MP Alistair Strathern has urged Hertfordshire County Council to use a share of £5.6 million in additional government funding to progress two major transport projects in the town.

The Labour MP wants the council to prioritise improved eastern access to Hitchin railway station and plans for a new link road serving the industrial estate in the north of the town.

Both projects have been discussed for several years, with supporters arguing they could help ease congestion, improve connectivity and make it easier for residents and businesses to travel around Hitchin.

The government has announced an additional £5.6 million in capital funding for Hertfordshire next year, intended to support economic growth and create opportunities across the county.

The announcement follows representations from Mr Strathern and other Labour MPs calling for additional investment in Hertfordshire.

Mr Strathern is now pressing the county council to ensure Hitchin benefits from the funding.

Improving access to Hitchin railway station from the east has been a longstanding local priority, with the project intended to make the station more accessible to residents approaching from that side of town.

Meanwhile, a proposed link road serving the industrial estate in northern Hitchin could help address traffic pressures and improve access to businesses in the area.

Mr Strathern says he has been working with Hertfordshire County Council and North Herts Council to advance both proposals since he was first elected to Parliament.

He believes the new funding provides an opportunity to accelerate progress.

"When I was first elected, local priorities like eastern access and a link road for the north of the town had been overlooked for far too long," he said.

"This wasn't good enough, so I've been working closely with our councils to push these long overdue projects forward.

"I'm delighted we've been able to secure £5.6m of new funding for Hertfordshire to invest in growth projects like these."

The MP said both schemes could make a significant difference to how people travel around the town.

"I'm urging Hertfordshire to use this funding to help move these projects forward. Eastern access at Hitchin Station and a link road are vital projects to make it easier for our community to get around the town.

"Working together we've already made progress, now let's use this new funding to really crack on and deliver for Hitchin."

The £5.6 million is additional funding for Hertfordshire as a whole, rather than money specifically allocated to Hitchin.

No decision has yet been announced on whether any of the funding will be directed towards the two projects, or how much either scheme might receive.

Mr Strathern's intervention puts renewed pressure on Hertfordshire County Council to consider the town's transport priorities as it determines how to spend the additional investment.