PARISH and town councils are being consulted on the continued use of speed indication devices on roads in the county after it was announced that funding for them by Wiltshire Council will not be given in the new financial year.

The signs, which display and record passing vehicle speeds, and have been used across the county for at least five years to encourage drivers to slow down, cost Wiltshire Council more than £70,000 a year.

Parish and town councils are now being asked whether they wish to fund them in the future, at a cost of approximately £4,200 a year, with Wiltshire Police saying that they will not.

The results are to be reviewed by individual area boards meeting in January.

John Thomson, Wiltshire Council cabinet member for highways, said: “Road safety is very important to us; we will continue to put in place safety schemes where they are needed most.

“Evidence shows temporary speed indicators are not a major factor in reducing accidents. We do, however, recognise the value people place on them and have given local parish and town councils the option to continue to fund the programme.”

There are approximately 20 signs in use in Wiltshire currently, which are allocated by need and request from the local communities for three weeks at a time.

A Wiltshire Council spokesperson has said the money saved will be put into other highway safety schemes such as Community Speedwatch, where members of the community monitor speeds with vehicles breaking the limit reported to police.

Town clerk Sarah Todhunter said: “Devizes Town Council has decided not to continue with the SIDs as they are not the most effective way of controlling speed.

“We will be looking to support other schemes such as Community Speedwatch.”

Alan Hill, Calne town councillor, said: “We feel that it’s the responsibility of Wiltshire Council to provide these devices where they are required.”