Campaigners fighting for speed limits to be lowered in parts of Borehamwood have welcomed MPs’ calls to give councils the power to introduce more 20mph zones.

A report released by the Commons transport committee last week asks the Government to do more to tackle the number of deaths on roads.

It was praised by friends and family of ten-year-old Tommy Ken-ny, who was killed after being hit by a car on a crossing in Brook Road, in April last year.

Since then, Tommy’s friends and family have been campaigning to get the speed limit lowered in Brook Road and other areas near schools and parks.

The report, entitled, Ending the Scandal of Complacency: Road Safe-ty beyond 2010, states: “Ways must be found to satisfy the desires of communities for safer streets.

“We recommend local authorities be given the powers and resources to introduce 20mph limits much more widely.

“Flexibility is required to avoid the prohibitive costs associated with some approaches.”

But campaigners are concerned the Govern-ment report is at odds with a report by Herts-mere Highways Partner-ship joint members panel officers presented in August, which said one factor in implementing lower speed limits in Borehamwood was the number of accidents in the road.

Tommy’s aunt, Mich-elle Kirby, said: “A report from the panel stated, despite our petition, Brook Road does not meet Local Transport Plan targets — basically, not enough families have lost loved ones, be it a child or adult on this particular road within the last three years.

“We should be able to feel safe on our roads whether it be as a pedestrian, young or old, cyclist or driver.”

The county’s speed management policy is currently under review, with Hertfordshire Coun-ty Council due to consider draft proposals at a meeting on Tuesday.

County councillor for Borehamwood North John Metcalf, who has been working closely with the Brook Road campaigners, said: “I will be urging the council to aim for 20mph to be the normal speed limit in built-up areas.

“One of our immediate aims is to slow the traffic down on Brook Road so we don’t get another appalling tragedy.

“We owe it to our community to make the roads safer. All people, young and not so young, should be able travel around their area feeling safe and secure. Adding just one minute to a typical car journey is a small price to pay for a more caring environment.”

A Hertfordshire Coun-ty Council spokeswoman said: “This is a very early stage in the process and it would be premature to discuss possible conclusions at this stage.

“However, the review of the strategy will establish clear guidance on the implementation of a range of speed management tools, for example physical measures such as driver awareness training, speed limits and safety cameras.

“The council’s speed management policies dovetail into the objectives of the Local Tran-sport Plan, which in-cludes improving safety for all and minimising the number of collisions and injuries within the county’s transport system,” she added.