Plans to introduce a 20mph zone in a residential area of Watford have been rejected.

However, Councillor Andrew Forrest, who represents Nascot ward, said he will demand a review of this “short-sighted” decision not to address speeding issues within the Nascot Conservation Area.

The conservation area is in the south of the ward, bordered by St Albans Road, Leavesden Road, Stratford Road, Alexandra Road and Essex Road.

And Councillor Forrest and his Liberal Democrat colleague Councillor Mark Watkin have been campaigning for the zone to be introduced on the grounds of public safety and to “preserve its unique character”.

He said Hertfordshire Highways' decision would be a “bitter disappointment” to residents who have reported seeing speeding cars along the area's narrow streets, which are commonly lined with parked cars on either side of the road.

“I thought it would be in the interests of public safety and the fact that it helps preserve the character if the conservation area not to have cars speeding up and down narrow streets but the county didn't go for that,” he said.

“We need to try and put pressure on and not accept the first response and see if we can get the decision reviewed and get a 20mph zone in there.

“Cars generally part on both sides of the street and cars tend to bomb down them. We do get people complaining and indeed reporting cars speeding. I hope the county will consider the request to go for a review.”

Councillor Forrest, the deputy leader of the council's Liberal Democrat group, who will seek re-election in May, now intends to write to County Councillor Stuart Pile, executive member for transport, to request an “immediate and thorough review” and a study to determine whether the scheme is “feasible”.

He will also collect signatures for a petition on the issue.

Fellow Nascot councillor Andrew Mortimer (Conservative) said the zone would be “useful” if it was approved.

He said: “With the exception of Langley Road and possibly Park Road, there aren't many roads where you can do more than 20 miles per hour.

“Yes, a 20mph zone would be useful but it would be very difficult to police because of the short distances of the roads.

“I would have thought a 20mph zone was desirable but I won't lose a lot of sleep if it's rejected.”

Hertfordshire Highways representative Pam Mead confirmed county council officers were asked to look into the possibility of introducing a 20mph zone in Nascot.

She said: “As part of our speed management strategy, we did do a speed limit check.

“All the roads in the area were below 24mph, apart from Alexandra Road.

“It cannot go forward to become a 20mph zone until Alexandra Road has had traffic calming measures installed. So we're looking for a funding opportunity for this in 2011/12.”