Traffic lights across Hertfordshire are set to be upgraded thanks to a £250,000 grant to Hertfordshire County Council from the Department for Transport.

The council says traffic lights at several locations across the county will be made more pedestrian and cyclist friendly, and some will have bus priority measures introduced.

These schemes will also see the existing lights replaced with newer systems that are more energy efficient and intelligently controlled to reduce queuing and support safe, reliable, sustainable travel.

Cllr Phil Bibby, cabinet member for highways and transport, said: "We want to make sure our roads are safe for all road users, and upgrading the traffic lights at these key junctions will help us do that.

"As well as making walking and cycling more attractive options, this will also reduce our energy usage and cut congestion, helping to deliver the cleaner, greener county that we all want to see."

Work has recently taken place to upgrade traffic lights near Bushey Arches with upgrade work ongoing on the A41 in Watford near the entrance to the Meriden estate.

And work has just started to refurbish the traffic lights in Waterfields Way at the junction with Tesco and Waterfields Shopping Park.

The county council successfully bid for the extra funding to support its forward programme of traffic light upgrades and ambitions to reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality and health as part of its Sustainable Hertfordshire Strategy.

The council says this is part of a programme of highways improvements designed to make alternatives to the car, such as walking, cycling or taking the bus more attractive and practical options.

A list of locations in Hertfordshire that will benefit from the funding is expected to be released in September, a spokesperson told the Observer.