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Hertfordshire County Council

We are looking to introduce more 20mph areas to improve road safety, create calmer streets and encourage more walking and cycling.

Our projectsWhat we're doingHow we identify 20mph areas

 


Our projects

 

Live Consultations

We are currently consulting on proposals for 20mph areas in:

  • Bishop's Stortford West
  • Chells area (South), Stevenage
  • Chells area (North) & St Nicholas (Southeast), Stevenage
  • Chells area (Centre), Stevenage
  • Baldock South
  • Baldock Northeast
  • Baldock West 

Please visit Consultations | Hertfordshire County Council to comment.

Coming soon

We'll soon be consulting on proposals for 20mph areas in:

  • Borehamwood (Studio Way area and Borehamwood South)

Completed public consultations

We have consulted for 20mph schemes in these areas which are now pending a decision:

  • Ware Town Centre (closed 9 February 2025)
  • Woolmer Green and Oaklands
  • Waltham Cross and Cheshunt Central 
  • Turnford and Wormley areas
  • Wheathampstead 
  • London Colney Phase 2                                                
  • St Nicholas area, Stevenage 
  • Pin Green area, Stevenage 
  • West Watford
  • Welwyn Village

Schemes which were not supported at initial public consultation will be revisited in the future to consider 20mph suitability outside of schools. 

Formal consultations

These schemes are due to be formally advertised in the coming months:

  • West and Central Watford
  • St Albans Central and East
  • Welham Green
  • Little and Great Wymondley and Graveley

The formal consultation provides a further opportunity for residents to comment on the proposals. A letter will be sent to all affected properties, as well as notices being placed on lamp columns in the area.

Details of consultations currently running can be seen at www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/trafficorders by searching for the reference numbers.

Planned Implementation

The following schemes are planned for delivery:

  • Bedwell area, Stevenage 
  • Stanstead Abbotts and Stanstead St Margarets 
  • Pirton
  • Central and South St Albans

Completed projects

The following schemes have been implemented following successful consultations:

  • The Commons, Welwyn Garden City
  • Holdbrook, Waltham Cross
  • London Colney, Barnet Road area
  • St Albans Central
  • Hatfield Garden Village
  • Salisbury Village, Hatfield
  • Central Hitchin

Projects not proceeding

Following consultations and discussions with the local county councillors, the following proposed projects are not being taken forward:

  • Elstree
  • Great Ashby
  • Cuffley

 


What we're doing

We are working on delivering some of the highest priority projects. 

First, we gather data on the current traffic speeds and volumes in target areas. This informs what roads are included and which measures should be introduced.

We'll consult local residents and stakeholders on all schemes so people can have their say on what is being proposed.


What changes we'll make

The minimum will be:

  • a legal order to change the speed of the road to 20mph
  • installing signs and road lining to advise drivers of the lower speed limit.

We may also need to install traffic calming measures. These will depend on the speed reduction needed and the existing road environment.


How we identify 20mph areas

We have identified over 500 areas where the local environment is likely to be suitable for 20mph speed limits. Generally residential roads, town and city centres, high streets and local shopping parades. The majority of these roads currently have 30mph limits.

Roads that are more important for transport and movement such as main roads are less suitable for 20mph. Unadopted roads also won't be included.


How we prioritise

Funding is available until March 2026, so we're targeting lower speed roads around places where people live, work, learn and shop – places where we want people to feel safe and comfortable in the street environment and encouraged to walk and cycle their journeys. This follows the principles of our Speed Management Strategy.

We have grouped suitable roads into potential 20mph areas separated by things like busy roads, green spaces or railway lines.

Areas have been prioritised based on factors such as density of houses, pavement space, nearby schools and existing Air Quality Management areas. We are also considering cost effectiveness.

 

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