A passionate campaign to reduce the ‘outrageous’ speed limit outside a primary school has taken a step backwards as funding to install safety measures outside the gates has been pulled.

In October funding was granted to place flashing warning signs and enhanced white line markings on the A4155 outside Danesfield Primary school following an ongoing battle to reduce the speed limit from 60 to 40mph.

However the campaign has been put on hold after Bucks County Council froze all ‘non-essential spending’ as it looks set to overspend nearly £6m if its annual budget.

The county council said it is with ‘real regret’ that funding has been stopped, however money for children’s safeguarding and social care had to be prioritised.

A spokesperson for BCC said: “We fully understand the concerns raised by the school and had agreed to fund a safety improvement scheme in this financial year.

“Unfortunately, and with real regret, because the council now needs to prioritise the rising costs of adult and children’s safeguarding and social care, this means that some LAF-funded schemes are being paused or stopped.

“However, subject to the budget available to Local Area Forums next financial year, the SW Chilterns and Marlow LAF could choose to fund the scheme in 2016/17, in which case the signs will be installed.”

Before council budgets were slashed Medmenham parish councillors – who have backed the campaign from the beginning – hoped to request further funding to get the speed limit reduced in the next financial year.

The parish council is yet to fully comment however has said it is intent on doing everything it can to reverse the decision.