FAMILIES in Salford Priors would have to pay £600 to stop speeding through the village if the parish council gives in to county council demands.

The parish council has offered to contribute to the cost of a speed reduction programme on the C216 Evesham Road (formerly the B439), after complaints from residents about motorists driving too fast and bikers using the road as a race track.

Councillors voted in July on their preferred option of three offered following a survey and the county council's traffic group can start work early next year - but only if the parish council agrees to foot the £80,000 bill.

That would be passed on to the residents through the parish precept of the council tax.

Parish councillors are furious, claiming they have been told to "get stuffed" by the county council.

Chairman Kim James said at a meeting last week: "When the parish council looked more deeply into traffic calming, it came to the conclusion it would have to put some money up front and possibly pay 10 per cent of the cost. We didn't expect to have to meet the £80,000, which is unacceptable.

"That costing would mean every household would have to contribute just under £600 on top of their other parish rate and as a parish council, we would take more money than the district and county council put together."

At the meeting, Councillor Tony Wolfe suggested residents be informed "Warwickshire County Council officers have told us to get stuffed".

County councillor Susan Juned agreed and is to set up a meeting with senior officers to address the matter. Parish councillors are looking at alternative schemes as well as making a complaint to the county council.