A controversial scheme to move Oxfordshire’s fire control room to a regional base in Hampshire has been delayed for nine months due to computer difficulties.

A hold-up in the installation of satellite navigation software in Hampshire means the county’s control room will now not switch to Fareham until October 2011.

The Government-imposed scheme has been criticised by county councillor John Farrow, who fears the switch increases the potential for mistakes by 999 call handlers.

A report by assistant chief fire officer Colin Thomas suggested the delay increased the risk of problems at the county’s control room in Kidlington, as the council had deliberately not replaced ageing communications systems because of the switch-over.

There are also concerns control room staff may not stay for the extra nine months.

Mr Farrow, a county fireman for 38 years, said: “It’s nice to keep the control room in Oxfordshire for longer, but we have to think about the impact on our staff.

“If they’ve been offered a job somewhere else, they’ll be wondering should they take it or maintain their loyalty to the brigade?”

Rodney Rose, the chairman of the county council’s community safety scrutiny committee, said: “The software isn’t in place and without that the new control centre can’t work.

“The whole thing relies an awful lot on sat-nav to make sure fire engines get to the right place.”

He added: “If there is any possibility of the people of Oxfordshire being put at risk by the delay, then we will spend the money needed.”