A FUNDING gap is likely to put the brakes on plans to cut speeds through a village near Taunton, despite nearly half its residents turning out to lobby highways bosses.

Nearly 60 residents of Corfe attended a meeting at the village hall on Monday to press highways officials to reduce the 40mph limit to 30mph on the B3170 through the village.

County councillor David Fothergill and Deane councillor John Williams were also there in support.

After the meeting, parish clerk Jack Leeming said: “Local people are concerned that without early action to slow speeding motorists, serious accidents are inevitable.

“The turnout was excellent with 57 villagers in attendance - almost half of the village population.

“The evening concluded with a statement from the team that they would support the reduction and would work together with the residents to find the best way of achieving this in the near future.”

But a spokesman for Somerset County Council, which is responsible for highways, told the County Gazette: “the council does support the parish council in their aim to reduce the speed of vehicles in Corfe.

“Changing the 40mph signs for 30mph signs is very unlikely to have the desired effect in reducing vehicle speeds. A 30mph speed limit with additional measures would have the desired effect and is likely to be supported by both Somerset County Council and the police. There is currently no identified county council funding for this type of scheme.”