ENVIRONMENTALISTS and cyclists are uniting to campaign for a 20 mile-an-hour zone for most roads in St Albans.

Arguing a reduction of the general speed limit in residential roads from 30 to 20mph would give a huge boost to safety and air quality, they have written to district councillors to ask them to support the idea, as well as the county council which would have to back such an obviously controversial move.

Green Party leader Simon Grover said: “774 people were injured or killed on the roads of the St Albans district last year.

“Official Government advice is that 20 mile-an-hour limits reduce accidents by half.

“It would also reduce pollution, get people to walk and cycle more and make St Albans generally more pleasant.

“It has only just become possible because of recent law changes.

“It would not need any extra traffic calming – just signs.

"In Portsmouth, where they introduced it a year ago they have had great results.

“Several other towns and cities, like Oxford and Bristol, have agreed in principle.”

He envisages partial exemptions for main routes on residential roads like Batchwood Drive and London Road, now 40 miles an hour, hopes for the support of Stuart Pile, county council cabinet member for roads is sympathetic.

Mr Grover said: “He seems to be open-minded. It could only be done after a full consultation with road-users, shop-owners and so on, and it would have to be pushed hard by the district council.

“But we hope people will see this could be a great thing for St Albans, and write to their councillors to express support."

Stephen Wragg of the St Albans Cycle Campaign said: “Many people say they would like to cycle but are scared to.

“We realise you can't have off-road cycle tracks everywhere, but this would be a very cost effective way of calming down the traffic.”

The Review has asked Hertfordshire County Council to comment on the practicality of a general 20 miles an hour limit.