Villagers in Ringmer already have a laser gun to catch speeding drivers

Representatives from 24 parishes in the county have told East Sussex County Council speed restrictions must be put in place in villages where traffic can currently travel at 60 mph.

But the council has said it would cost over �1m to implement changes across the county.

The cost of reducing a speed limit in each village is between �3,400 and �4,600, the council said.

According to its estimates, it costs between �2,000 and �3,000 to manufacture and put up the new signs, plus an additional �600 to pass the necessary traffic regulation order.

Parishes backing a 30 mph limit Camber Crowhurst Falmer Heathfield and Waldron Peasmarsh Salehurst and Robertsbridge Wadhurst Westham

Staffing costs of �800 to �1,000 for each village, depending on the complexity of the site, would also have to be added.

The council has already spent two years reviewing the situation in 47 villages which had 60 mph speed limits, with reductions introduced in 13 of those cases.

Officers from the council will meet on Tuesday with residents from Catsfield, East Sussex, to discuss local traffic calming measures.

Diane Stevens, parish clerk for Catsfield, said the campaign for a blanket speed limit was still in its early stages.

She said: "The county's argument is that they cannot enforce it and they also say it doesn't make a difference - but we say research shows it does make a difference.

"The villages are willing to help themselves with enforcement.

"They've got volunteers with speed guns in Ringmer and we have an inspector coming to talk to us about using them."