INSTALLING a 20mph speed limit outside Bridgwater schools would be a ‘lengthy and costly exercise’, according to Somerset County Council.

Last month, Bridgwater Town Council voted to back a campaign by residents of Polden Street and Wellington Road, in Eastover, who are calling for a 20mph limit.

Following the decision, town council leader Brian Smedley surveyed all school signage in the town and submitted a prioritised checklist to Somerset County Council.

Cllr Smedley wrote: "I suspect you are not able to do anything about this until after the May election however, if you have a mind to, we would very much appreciate the immediate introduction of 20mph signs in the Eastover area as they have been calling for this for two years."

Somerset County Council responded saying that any changes have to go through a 'statutory consultation process' to change a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO), which is a 'lengthy and costly exercise'.

The council said government legislation states speed readings must be carried out in the affected areas and it is 'very important every site is considered on its own merits'.

"Somerset Highways has to very carefully prioritise works in line with the available budgets," a spokesman for Somerset County Council said.

"When the opportunity arises we would look at reviewing some of the speed limits in line with the guidance but this is not a priority for us at the moment.”

Addressing the specific issue in Eastover, the SCC spokesman said: “Officers have carried out speed readings and the mean speeds were 23mph, well within the current speed limit.”

Cllr Smedley said the town council and residents would continue to press for the installation of 20mph speed limits, not only at Eastover but on roads surrounding all town schools.

"This council is committed to a '20 is Plenty' policy in neighbourhoods around our schools and we will campaign for this alongside residents,” he added.