PARISH councillors in Corbridge fear they are being “blackmailed” over a long-awaited scheme to introduce safety measures on to a busy stretch of road near the village first school.

Dormant Section 106 money amounting to £30,000, which was set aside for the improvements by the developers of The Chains housing estate in 2001, has been resurrected following pressure from parish chairman, Coun. Maurice Hodgson.

However, proposals drawn up by county council officials 15 years later suggest the project for St Helen’s Lane cannot be completed for less than £37,000, exceeding the budget by almost 25 per cent.

“I can’t help but wonder if we are being blackmailed?” Coun. Graham Curry asked the latest meeting of Corbridge Parish Council.

“We had a long and detailed meeting with the highways department and asked them to tailor the proposals to the £30,000 available.

“Why should we be forced to come up with another £7,000?”

Coun. Hodgson said: “This whole thing was a dead duck and we’ve been told repeatedly we can’t use the money. So much time has passed by.

“But I’ve battled for the last few years to get the county council to agree to let us use it and I’m as disappointed as anyone that this is what they’ve come back with.”

The proposals, which were originally due out for public consultation in July, include the introduction of a 20mph speed limit, along with a combination of speed cushions, build outs and rumble strips to slow down traffic using St Helen’s Lane and an adjoining section of Aydon Road.

Coun. David Walton said: “This £30k is part of a legal agreement between Northumberland Estates and Tynedale District Council which goes back to 2001.

“It is now up to Northumberland County Council to get this done and it hasn’t.

“I propose we indicate to the county council that we will make up the £7,000 shortfall but it is a loan to get it out of the mess it is in.”

But several councillors expressed concerns that arguing over the cost would only delay the process further.

“I think this is a matter of priority for the village and we should make it clear that, if we find the £7,000, it is only available for a defined period of time, and we expect work to start by a specified date,” said Coun. Alistair Jenkins.

Councillors agreed to set aside £4,000 towards the scheme with the village’s county councillor, Jean Fearon, contributing £3,000 from her member’s small schemes allowance.

Concerns raised by residents, parents and Corbridge First School regarding inconsiderate parking in the nearby Milkwell area have prompted a separate public consultation on parking restrictions.

Reports suggest that obstructive parking was not only blocking residents from exiting their properties, but it was also putting schoolchildren at risk due to poor visibility at crossing points.

People have until November 9 to register their views with the county council on the introduction of single yellow lines and “School Keep Clear” signs which would be enforceable during peak times.