CONSULTATION meetings are set to take place next month as the city looks towards a new transport plan for 2040.

The events, run by Southampton City Council, will be put on for residents to find out more about the Connected Southampton strategy.

As reported, the plans include pedestrianised city centre areas, an array of park-and-ride locations, tens of miles of safe cycle networks, and less pollution.

The drop-in events will take place on: September 4, from 11:30am to 6pm, at Southampton Civic Centre; September 15, from 10am to 1pm, at Shirley Library; September 19, from 4pm to 7pm, at Portswood Library; September 29, from 10am to 1pm, at Bitterne Library.

Cllr Jacqui Rayment, transport and public realm chief, said: “We are working hard to make sure Southampton residents, commuters, businesses and communities are involved in our plans for the future of transport in the city.

“Almost 1000 people have already taken our online survey and given us their views on our seven big ideas for meeting the challenges for the future and on ambitious plans for our city.

“These drop-in sessions are a chance for the public to come and meet our transport planning team and put their questions and ideas to them directly so that we can consider a wide range of views.

I would urge everyone to get involved as these issues affect us all.”

The scheme, which was announced last month, is a vision of how Southampton could look in just two decades time.

Civic chiefs say the 20-year transport plan looks at how the authority can transform the way the city is used, and the make it a “more successful, healthy and sustainable” place to live.

Some of the key issues set out in the LTP include a new network of park-and-ride sites which serve commuters as well as those visiting the city’s retail and leisure areas.

Another plan is to create a “Liveable City Centre”, where pedestrians are given priority over vehicles.

The plan adds that the council wants to create an area “where people want to live, work and spend time”.