WILTSHIRE Council could end a £150m road maintenance contract three years early, due to expected standards not being met by Balfour Beatty Living Places (BBLP).

The Council contracted BBLP in 2013 to take care of road maintenance services that included street lighting and pothole repairs.

After only three months into their contract, the firm’s performance was looked at by a council scrutiny committee, following a number of complaints about its standard of work.

A Wiltshire Council spokesman said: “Wiltshire Council and Balfour Beatty are working towards a solution for ongoing delivery of the highway maintenance contract in Wiltshire.

“Constructive discussions are on-going and we will provide an update when appropriate.”

The Highways and Streetscene contract, which also includes dealing with winter weather issues, drainage and grass cutting, had been undertaken by four separate organisations.

Soon after it was signed however, the council admitted the contractor's delivery of some of its services had not been "as effective as had been anticipated”.

In Cricklade, Liberal Democrat councillor, Bob Jones, said he had received hundreds of complaints about the grass cutting service.

"I think it's preposterous,” he said. “The residents pay their rates but we have a contractor that doesn't appear to be meeting the criteria that we need.”