Communities could be forced to pay for their own road safety measures under a new proposal.
East Sussex County Council is considering asking parish councils and community groups to foot the bill for lowering speed limits or installing other safety features in their areas.
This proposal is included in the same report that confirms accidents have reduced 50% in areas where speed limits have already been lowered.
The authority still has one year left in its programme of speed limit reductions on some A and B roads and through certain villages.
But when these works are completed the council has warned there will be little money left for future schemes.
It will still be required to pay for any works in an accident blackspot but communities campaigning for slower speeds will be asked to cough up the cash themselves.
With a single speed limit sign costing £400 and speed bumps up to £30,000 it represents significant investment for residents and already stretched parish council coffers.
Councillor Carl Maynard, lead member for transport, said: “We have to be realistic about the funding challenges we are going to face in the future.
“I am very keen to forge stronger links with parish councils and this is one possible way forward.
“It would entail us working with the community that has requested road safety measures to facilitate that."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel