Millions of extra to be spent repairing East Sussex's roads

On Tuesday (June 27), cabinet members agreed to draw £5.6m from reserves to pay for extra patching and drainage work around the county, as well as increase the capital programme by £5.1 million, funded through borrowing.

Cabinet members also agreed to ask for full council sign-off on an additional £5m for early improvements intended to make the road network more resilient.

The recommendation comes after cabinet members asked at the start of the year for detailed modelling of how extra investment could be most effective and, when put together, would bring the council’s spending on highways this year to almost £34m.

Introducing the proposals, Cllr Claire Dowling, lead member for transport and environment, said: “Last winter we experienced the wettest November on record, followed by days below freezing in December and the wettest March for 40 years. This saw significant deterioration in the condition of the road surface, with over 15,000 potholes repaired since January.

“Cabinet requested work to be undertaken to understand the condition of the network and the following modelling and maintenance strategy has been developed.

“By increasing the capital programme by £5.1m per annum, to give an annual investment of £23.2m frontloaded with an additional early investment of £5m on top focused on the largest proportion of the network, the unclassified roads which are in the poorest condition.

“This will provide early improvements and better resistance against extreme weather.”

While opposition groups broadly welcomed the investment, there was some criticism over the timing and scope of the proposals.

David Tutt, leader of the council’s Liberal Democrat Group said: “Every year there is something in the weather that is abnormal, there is always a reason we can point to with the weather as being a cause.

“But, what I believe we have, is a backlog. Whilst the additional money will go someway to address [the backlog], it won’t totally address [it].

“I could point to and I guess many, if not all, councillors could point to roads in their divisions that actually need to be totally resurfaced, re-laid.”

There was also criticism from Labour councillor Godfrey Daniel, who said: “I am not against all the extra investment into highways. I have always spoken up for highways in all my time on this council. But the main question I’ve got is why has it taken you so long? Why is it only now you are doing it?

“Yes, the local weather has been challenging at times perhaps, but the local elections were even more challenging for the present regime. Maybe you are conscious of the next election, because reputationally, I have to say, the county council is identified with potholes.

“It is always nice to welcome the conversion of a sinner, so it is nice that at long, long last you are making real attempts to put real money in to deal with this problem. Personally, I am very supportive of what you are doing, I just wish it could have happened a long, long time ago.”