Roads in central Hitchin may become part of a 20mph zone if plans by Hertfordshire County Council go ahead.

Under the plans, the speed limit on roads including Bancroft, Nightingale Road, Verulam Road, Hermitage Road and Whinbush Road would be reduced.

The county council has opened a consultation on the proposed changes, with residents invited to have their say.

For the scheme to go ahead, at least 10 per cent of residents must respond to the consultation, and a majority of those who respond must be supportive of the changes.

Signs marking the entrance and exit points to the zone would be installed, as well as new road markings.

Traffic calming measures would be required in areas where average vehicle speeds are currently above 24mph. According to the council, this means that only Verulam Road would require such measures, with a 'speed cushion' installed near to the junction with Convent Close.

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The proposal is part of a broader county council programme to introduce more 20mph zones across Hertfordshire. Similar consultations have been held in Stevenage, Welwyn Hatfield and St Albans, and, further afield, a 20mph limit was recently introduced on residential roads in Wales.

Hertfordshire County Council's programme aims "to make it easier and safer for people to walk and cycle", and "to improve safety for all road users".

According to Roadwise, pedestrians hit by a car travelling at 30mph have a 20 per cent chance of being killed; this is reduced to 2.5 per cent if the car was travelling at 20mph.

In 2021, 19 people were killed in road traffic collisions in Hertfordshire.

The consultation on a 20mph zone in Central Hitchin is open until Monday, October 23, and can be found on Hertfordshire County Council's website.

Which roads are included in the proposals?

  • Bancroft
  • Brand Street
  • Bunyan Road
  • Clare Gardens
  • Convent Close
  • Dacre Road
  • Fells Close
  • Forge Close
  • Garden Row
  • Grammar School Walk
  • Grove Road
  • Hazelwood Close
  • Hermitage Road
  • Nightingale Road
  • Portmill Lane
  • Radcliffe Road
  • Regal Court
  • St Anne's Road
  • Verulam Road
  • Whinbush Grove
  • Whinbush Road
  • William Ransom Way
  • Woodside Gardens