Knebworth residents want highways officials to let them decide whether streets around the village should have a 20mph limit – despite their county councillor ruling it out.
According to the county council, 20mph areas can improve road safety create calmer streets and encourage more walking and cycling
Within two years, they could cover more than half of Hertfordshire’s urban roads.
But each proposed scheme depends on public support, starting with the local county councillor.
Knebworth’s scheme is listed as “not proceeding” after failing to win the backing of county councillor Ralph Muncer.
Now 285 Hertfordshire residents have backed a petition urging the council to consult on the scheme anyway.
“We believe it is up to the people of Knebworth to decide what’s best for our local community and not one person,” says the petition.
“We know that opinions differ on this topic, which is why it is important that every citizen can make their voice heard in the debate.”
The petition stresses that as part of the consultation process, the proposals would be explained to residents – and that the council would explain how the feedback would shape the final design.
The petition has more than the council’s 250-signature threshold, allowing it to go before the cabinet or a relevant cabinet panel.
Knebworth parish councillor Paul Ward, a Liberal Democrat who also sits on North Herts District Council, is one of the petition’s organisers.
Although he supports 20mph zones, Ward says the petition is about giving residents a say whether they back the scheme or not.
He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “I know it’s quite a divisive topic and people’s opinions differ.
“But local people should have a say. I don’t think it should be down to one person – be it me or anybody else – who should decide.”
In response, Conservative councillor Ralph Muncer (Knebworth and Codicote) said he was committed to “genuine measures” to improve road safety.
He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service he had proposed “physical speed reduction measures” as an alternative.
“I’m committed to delivering genuine measures which will improve road safety in Knebworth, not simply backing a scheme that costs the taxpayer nearly £80,000, yet fails to deliver any meaningful change.
“When officers at Hertfordshire Highways informed me a 20mph scheme in Knebworth wouldn’t include any traffic calming measures – with the proposals consisting entirely of the erection of signs and the painting of roundels on the road, which studies show fail to result in material changes to vehicle speed – I thought, and remain of the view, we can do better.
“That’s why I’ve proposed for this funding to be used to implement physical speed reduction measures on the main roads into and through Knebworth, which not only would address long-standing community concerns, but would tackle an issue highlighted by the county council’s own data, which shows vehicle speeds frequently exceeding the current 30 mph limit on these roads.
“The council’s refusal to even consider this proposal demonstrates the Liberal Democrat administration isn’t serious about implementing policy that produces tangible results.
“Instead it would rather implement policy which is merely perceived to have an impact.”
Under the county council’s petition scheme, any petition submitted through its portal with at least 250 signatures can go before a cabinet panel.
With more than 1,000 signatures, a petition can be considered by the full county council.
A county council spokesperson said: “We like to hear from our residents and petitions are a great way of highlighting local issues of concern.
“If the petition receives the necessary number of signatures, it will be put forward for discussion at the relevant committee or panel under the council’s constitution.”
The petition, titled ‘Let the people of Knebworth decide about 20mph areas for our community’, ran on the county council website from July 17 to September 24.
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