"LIFE saving" speed signs could be removed by Wiltshire Council if parishes do not come up with the money to save them.

The speed indication devices (SID), which warn drivers to slow down if they are exceeding the speed limit,  are moved around a number of sites each year, usually staying in one spot for three weeks at a time.

There are 20 signs in use in Wiltshire that are allocated in response to requests from local communities if, for example, there is an issue with speeding in a residential area.

Cllr John Thomson wrote to parish councils to remind them that the devices were no longer funded by the council from October 27, and that the parishes would have to pay for their own signs if they wished to keep them.

He wrote: “If such support from towns and parishes was forthcoming, it may be possible for the use of SIDs to continue, but that support would need to be universal.

“The annual cost of deployment is around £75,000 – a rough calculation suggests around £4,200 divided between town/parishes in each Area Board per year.”

Wiltshire Council already owns the 20 SIDs, but it is the cost of maintaining and transporting them which amounts to £75,000.  

Dr Brian Mathew, a Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for North Wiltshire, says the SIDs are "life saving" devices.

He has begun a petition to oppose the decision to make parishes pay for the SIDs,  saying that money could be saved if more signs were purchased and the existing signs were not moved around.

“Speeding through our towns and villages is a menace. These electronic warning signs are real life savers," he said.

Dr Mathew estimated that 30 extra SIDs would cost between £26,850 and £36,000 depending on the model purchased.

Combined with the 20 SIDs currently in use, this would mean all 50 of the sites currently used for the mobile devices would be constantly covered.

Dr Mathew said: “It is a disgrace that they are now under threat."

He added: "If they wanted to save money then why don’t they buy a few more and then everyone can win?”

Dr Mathew has now launched a petition to save the signs. To add your support visit http://bit.ly/1rMMnzK