THE budget is limited – it’s fixing potholes or adding traffic calming measures – Ceredigion councillors have been told.

Some councillors highlighted problems with speeding cars in their wards as a new review of limits is set to be given the go-ahead.

They called for changes to or more flexibility in the matrix used to assess speed limits in Ceredigion at a recent meeting of the thriving communities overview and scrutiny.

Cllr Ifan Davies said that the matrix set by Welsh Government was “not fit for purpose” as it was Cardiff-centric and did not take into account the number of small hamlets or villages in the county.

He was told that the matrix had been relaxed in Ceredigion but he was not satisfied that residents’ safety needs were being met.

Cllr Davies said that a recommendation should go to cabinet that the methodology for the matrix should be reviewed.

Officer John Edwards said that the last review and implementation had cost £250,000 with a similar budget for the latest plan which used an “objective measurement” for determining if limits are suitable.

“If you don’t want to do potholes or resurfacing that’s fine, we can throw the money at reducing speeds if you feel strongly that’s way forward, but I will remind you that it’s a limited pot,” added Mr Edwards.

Cllr Euros Davies asked how Carmarthenshire could put in so many speed limits using the same system but Ceredigion struggled?

Cllr Rhodri Davies said: “We put speed limits in but people don’t keep to them, it’s the people on the roads that are the problem.”

A report about the proposal also highlighted that there were a number of residential streets in the county suitable for 20mph limits and there was a significant cost to implementing those.

The committee felt that due to “discontent” from members it was unable to endorse the report but required further scrutiny of the matrix itself and input from the police.