A CASH-strapped local authority has been urged to rethink its plans to charge 60 town and parish councils to put the brakes on speeding drivers.

North Yorkshire County Council said a growing number of communities had registered speeding concerns this year and were keen to have a temporary vehicle activated sign (VAS), which light up when motorists exceed 30 or 40mph speed limits.

The authority, which is working towards cutting its budget by £168m by 2020, said following a successful 12-month pilot study, the scheme would be extended to serve 60 communities.

It expects about 145 communities in the county to apply for VAS, so those interested would be entered into a draw and selected randomly.

Communities wanting VAS will have to commit to the scheme for four years and pay £500 to install a socket, £750 annually for officer time and to rotate the signs between areas (to increase their effectiveness) and £300 per speed survey.

After learning of the potential costs, some parish councils said the cost would force them to significantly raise their council tax demand.