Hertfordshire County Council has announced that the Speed Management Strategy will be reviewed and a raft of measures will be introduced to help make residents feel safer on the roads - what they describe as a "key promise" made by the new administration in their 100 day plan. 

As a priority action the council will accelerate the implementation of 20mph zones in areas where residents want them to keep people safer. It's also hoped the zones will encourage residents to walk, wheel and cycle, giving them a viable alternative to travelling by car, especially for shorter journeys.

To enable 20mph zones to be introduced more quickly, some will only need change of speed limit signs installed, but a number of these new zones will include features that both calm traffic and provide accessibility benefits. For example raised crossings may be introduced, where they are needed, to help people to cross at the same level as the footpath making it easier to cross the road safely.

A second priority action in this area will see the council's wider speed management strategy reviewed to explore ways to make it quicker and easier to review and introduce appropriate speed limits on roads in the county. 

The other measures announced include communicating earlier with residents about changes in their area that will impact them or cause disruption, using technology and data to help inform the transport decisions we're making on behalf of our residents, and looking into new ways to restrict access to rural lanes, preventing them from becoming 'rat runs' for speeding drivers.

Cllr Paul Zukowskyj, Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport and Growth at Hertfordshire County Council, said:"I've asked the Director of Transport for Hertfordshire to begin work at pace on these new approaches and progress will need to be reported back to both myself and the Cabinet Member for Highways. 

"We're committed to improving our environment and there's no doubt that more people cycling and walking would have a significant impact. We also know that feeling unsafe on our roads is a huge barrier to residents travelling more sustainably. By building on the work that's already been done in this area we hope to create better, more inviting places for our communities to live in where everyone feels safe and encouraged to live healthier lifestyles in a greener environment."