COUNCIL chiefs have missed out on funding to introduce 20mph traffic calming zones in Weymouth, Portland and Dorchester.

The government heralded the announcement of funding for seven different sustainable transport projects around the country – including £64,000 for Dorset County Council.

But it is only a fraction of what the council was looking for to progress its plans.

The money will enable DCC to consult with communities, carry out studies and design plans – but it’s not enough to build anything. More funding will have to be sought to implement the schemes, which will be introduced where communities want them.

The only area where a zone can be introduced is Westham in Weymouth where money was secured earlier this year to introduce a scheme.

The 20mph zones incorporating traffic calming measures like speed humps and chicanes is an initiative being promoted by the government and since 1999 it has given highway authorities the powers to introduce them. They would be in residential areas or areas where there are lots of pedestrians such as around schools and shops.

The 20mph limit is actually not enforceable but evidence shows traffic slows down in these zones.

DCC’s head of highways Andrew Martin said the original bid for government funding was for £415,000.

He said: “The £64,000 that we have been awarded from the Local Sustainable Transport Fund will be used towards the feasibility and development of 20mph speed limits in Weymouth, Portland and Dorchester.

“This money will be used to consult local residents, to carry out feasibility studies and design schemes.

“The original bid would have provided the capital funding to construct a number of schemes.”