Calls for 20mph speed limits across large areas of Hertfordshire’s roads have been rejected.

The Liberal Democrats want to see 20mph limits introduced in "all suitable residential roads" and councillors outlined the case for it at a recent Hertfordshire County Council meeting.

A petition with 650 signatures was also presented to those in the highways meeting by Colin Hodges from the '20s plenty for Hertfordshire campaign'.

But Lib Dem councillor John Hale's motion for more 20mph zones was knocked back by the Conservatives - who supported their own speed management strategy instead.

The new strategy is designed to act as a framework for speed limit changes within the county - and suggests 20mph zones should be limited to areas which only see average speeds of 24mph or less, which is less than the 25mph buffer currently used.

The report does refer to a council intention to investigate funding for "viable" 20mph area schemes, and for new residential developments to "naturally encourage" motorists to drive at 20mph.

Watford Observer:

Watford Labour councillors Asif Khan and Richard Smith have in the past called for 20mph speed limits in a neighbourhood

Lib Dem leader and Watford county councillor Stephen Giles-Medhurst claims the new strategy will make it "harder" for 20mph zones to be implemented.

He added: "The council says that it wants more people to walk and cycle but that depends on making people feel safer when doing this.

"Yet the Tories want to make it as difficult and expensive as possible to introduce safer 20mph limits.

"Other councils have introduced area 20mph limits on residential roads without expensive and intrusive traffic calming."

Executive member for highways and environment, Cllr Phil Bibby, told councillors the new strategy was "sound, transparent and realistic".

When the council's strategy went out to public consultation, 52 per cent of the 573 people who responded either "strongly agreed" or "agreed" with it.

Meanwhile, a pilot scheme put forward by Cllr Giles-Medhurst and Labour Asif Khan for widespread 20mph limits across Watford was voted down.