A RALLYING call has gone out to stop Eastleigh's road safety council coming to a crashing halt because of apathy.

The last meeting of the council at Eastleigh's civic offices was abandoned when just two council officers and two members attended.

Chairman, Councillor Bill Pepper, opened the meeting and proposed that in view of the lack of members there that items should be deferred to the next meeting.

In the meantime, letters will go to all members canvassing their views on attendance and the future of the safety body.

Cllr Pepper told the Daily Echo: "It is the second time in succession that we have had a poor attendance. At the last meeting there were two officers, a parish councillor from West End and myself.

"Even the police have not attended on the last couple of occasions, which has been very disappointing. Unless people attend it is really wasting my time. It is very frustrating."

Cllr Pepper, who represents Hamble and is in his second year as chairman of the road safety council, said it was an important body that met three times a year.

He added: "We do have a lot of traffic problems in the area and there are a lot of highway improvements we would like to see for all road users. We should be working together."

Cllr Pepper said he had written to all town and parish councillors to remind them of the next meeting on July 11.