Council cuts agreement to manage road orders

Fareham Borough Council has terminated its contract with Hampshire County Council to carry out traffic regulation orders – as it claims that the cost of the work has increased to nearly £60,000 annually.

The local authority has held the agreement since 2009, with the county council offering £88,700 to carry out the works while a further £6,000 was subsidised by the borough council.

However, as the county council plans to reduce 60 per cent of this funding by 2018, the borough council’s executive have made the decision to scrap the contract, saying it will cost it £59,000 to maintain the service.

The decision was criticised by Hampshire county councillor for Portchester, Roger Price.

He said: ‘This is a service that is relied upon by Fareham residents. I am totally opposed to this decision.’