PLANS are progressing on how to shape the county for the better for the next 30 years.

Changing attitudes to transport and advances in connectivity could be harnessed to help Hampshire’s success in the future, according to expert evidence presented to the Hampshire 2050 Commission.

The commission has been set up by Hampshire County Council to explore how best to ensure Hampshire’s future prosperity.

It examines some of the main, inter-related themes that will have an impact on those living and working in Hampshire in the coming years.

The focus of a recent hearing on the future of connectivity was on the transport impact of electric powered and autonomous vehicles, the impact of communications and smart technology in homes and workplaces, and future energy issues.

Leader of Hampshire County Council, Roy Perry, said: “This is a large county, and Hampshire’s mix of unique countryside, coastline, market towns and historic centres is something we’re very proud of.

"However, it is clearly fundamental to the future of Hampshire that people feel they can access all the county has to offer.

"We can start planning now to create a future where today’s young residents have opportunities to thrive as they make their choices about where to work and where to live.

“The panel of Commissioners has heard some truly fascinating evidence on current data and trends, as well as predictions of where we could be to help us understand where we might want to be in 30 years’ time. I’m also very interested to hear the views of the wider community, so we can gather all the information we can to develop a Vision for Hampshire to 2050.”

Hampshire residents are invited to complete an online questionnaire on each of the six key themes about what may happen in the future, what the impact of this will be, and how the county council and partner organisations need to respond to this.

The six themes are demographic and societal challenges; the future of the Hampshire economy; work, skills and lifestyle; environment and quality of place; mobility, connectivity and energy; and rural Hampshire.

The questionnaire can be found at hants.gov.uk.