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
Coming soon
We'll soon be consulting on proposals for 20mph areas in:
- Borehamwood (Studio Way area and Borehamwood South)
- Chells area, Stevenage
- Grovehill area, Hemel Hempstead
- Baldock
- West of Cheshunt area
- South Ware
- Bishop’s Stortford West
Live consultations
There are currently no live consultations.
Completed public consultations
We have been consulted for 20mph schemes in these areas and are now pending a decision:
- Woolmer Green and Oaklands (closed 18 November 2024)
- Waltham Cross and Cheshunt Central (closed 13 November 2023)
- Turnford and Wormley areas (closed 13 November 2023)
- North East Ware (closed 20 November 2023)
- Elstree (closed 30 October 2023)
- Great and Little Wymondley and Graveley (closed 13 November 2023)
- Central and East St Albans (closed 27 November 2023)
- Wheathampstead (closed 13 November 2023)
- London Colney Phase 2 (closed 23 October 2023)
- St Nicholas area, Stevenage (closed 2 October 2023)
- Pin Green area, Stevenage (closed 14 August 2023)
- Welwyn Village (closed 20 November 2023)
- Welham Green, Hatfield (closed 18 September 2023)
- Cuffley (closed 2 October 2023)
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:
- Bedwell area, Stevenage – advertised 25 January to 15 February 2024
- Central Hitchin (NH00124) – advertised 25 January to 15 February 2024
- Stanstead Abbotts and Stanstead St Margarets (EH00124) – advertising 8 to 29 February 2024
- Pirton (NH00224) – advertising 8 to 29 February 2024
- Central and South St Albans – advertised 15 February to 7 March 2024.
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.
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
What we're doing
We have started gathering data on the current traffic speeds and volumes in target areas. This will inform what measures should be introduced.
Design work has started on some of the highest priority projects.
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.