Ernie Clark. Hilperton Division, Wiltshire Council.

Road cleaning team numbers look to be cut.

Road cleaning team numbers are to be cut from 18 to 10 as part of Wiltshire Council's £1m savings.

Road sweepers were told this week that their numbers would be cut as part of efforts by Wiltshire Council to save £1million.

There are 18 road sweepers in the county but this will be reduced to 10.

However, a spokesman for the council’s highways contractor, Balfour Beatty, said that up to 15 new roles are to be created as part of restructuring of its highways and streetscene team and the road sweeper staff will be able to apply for the new roles.

A spokesman for Balfour Beatty, which took on the £25million a year highways contract last June, said he could not give details as to how the restructured contract would operate as it had not been finalised.