30mph should be limit say villages

Some 56 per cent think that the majority of drivers ignore limits, while 89 per cent say that speeding is the greatest traffic headache faced in their communities.

The stark criticism of speeding motorists was revealed in a poll by the County Council of 64 villages throughout East Sussex.

The headline results were announced at a road safety summit attended by 50 of the county's parish and town councils.

The County Council has set aside 750,000 this financial year to look at speed limits in villages and the summit was held to start work with parish councils on a new policy for setting local speed limits.

Delegates were told that simply changing speed limit signs would not necessarily reduce speeds and that other measures such as vehicle activated signs, gateways and traffic-calming measures would also be required.

It is hoped that over five years at least 30 villages could have their speed limits reduced from 40mph to 30mph.

The summit was held at Uckfield Civic Centre.