COUNTY council chiefs have moved to appease campaigners in a Suffolk village by confirming they will still get speed reduction measures – but they may have to be patient.

COUNTY council chiefs have moved to appease campaigners in a Suffolk village by confirming they will still get speed reduction measures – but they may have to be patient.

Residents in Norton had spoken of their disappointment after hearing traffic safety initiatives on the A1088 were being shelved by Suffolk County Council.

But the council's rural traffic engineer, Keith Bridges, said work on the main road through the village would still be carried out.

Mr Bridges said: "We met with Norton Parish Council on Monday and we will now be working with them and the Norton Action Group to identify the options for improving safety on the A1088.

"We will then have to consult on the agreed measures before work can go ahead.

"We had originally hoped the work would go ahead this year but the timescales involved could now mean that it will be after April 2004 before any work starts.

"We apologise for the delay but while we appreciate residents of Norton are disappointed, if we are able to provide an effective solution that is locally accepted we need time to properly consult and manage this scheme."

Improvements to the road, a concern in the village for three decades, could include improved warnings for drivers entering the village and greater police presence.

Action group spokesman Michael Packman said he felt an accident was waiting to happen on the road with lorries travelling through the village at double the 30mph speed limit.