In April 2003 Bucks County Council set a budget of £450,000 for a three year review of speeds on the county's roads.

However, with three of the 14 areas still left to do, the authority has said the cost so far is £1.5 million and indications are that it will reach nearly £2 million.

The council has defended the increase in budget and delays by saying that it is important to get it right and it saves money in the long run.

Delays have also been blamed on extra time given to public consultation, which was extended from the statutory 21 days to six weeks, to allow town and parish councils more time to respond.

The revelations come after the Campaign to Protect Rural England published a report whereby it suggested 1,163 miles of the county's 1,316 roads' speeds be reduced, at a cost of £3,740,186 based on new Government guidelines.

They want to see more speeds reduced from 60mph to 50mph and 40mph limits on minor rural roads along with 20mph zones on residential streets and Quiet Lanes.

The average cost of each speed limit review has cost about £150,000 and there are still four left to be done, expected to be completed by the end of 2010.

For more on this story, pick up a copy of this week's Bucks Herald.

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