County Hall has agreed to consider measures to slow traffic through a Welwyn Garden City neighbourhood shopping centre after environmentalists helped revive a parents’ campaign.

The county council had previously rejected requests for a 20mph zone and a zebra crossing near the Haldens shops.

But a petition with about 120 signatures submitted last month has prompted it to reconsider.

The petition was organised by the Green Party, whose European Parliament candidate Rupert Read visited Haldens.

Louise Lotz of Welwyn Hatfield Green Party said: “We want a quieter neighbourhood for pedestrians.

“Parents and grandparents are very worried about the traffic at the Circles Montessori Nursery School.

“It has got more urgent since double yellow lines were installed earlier this year. That has speeded up the traffic.”

Mr Read, who has successfully campaigned for 20mph zones in parts of Norwich, met parents and other campaigners from Haldens at Ruby’s Cafe, inside The Mayflower pub.

A county council spokesman said: “The petition regarding the installation of a zebra crossing and the speed limit reduction to 20mph in Haldens, Welwyn Garden City, was submitted to cabinet panel last Tuesday.

“The panel accepted the recommendations that further investigations should be made to assess the issues raised within the petition and, in consultation with the local county member, submit them for prioritisation within the county council’s programmes of work.

“In the meantime if residents have concerns about speeding on Haldens we would advice them to discuss these with the police and their local county councillor.”