More than 13,000 potholes repaired as West Sussex adapts roads for extreme weather

West Sussex County Council is changing the way it maintains the county’s highways as it seeks to reduce the impact of extreme weather on roads, potholes and drainage systems.

The council said increasingly cold and wet winters, followed by hot and dry summers, were weakening road surfaces and placing greater pressure on the highway network.

Last winter’s exceptionally heavy rainfall led to roads being closed, in some cases for several days, because of standing flood water. Water damage also contributed to potholes forming across the county.

Since 1 April 2026, highways teams have repaired more than 13,200 potholes, cleared over 34,000 drainage assets and patched 16,790 square metres of carriageway.

Targeted work has also been carried out on roads most severely affected by winter conditions.

Cllr Erika Woodhurst-Trueman, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said: “Residents have told us they want cleaner, better-maintained streets, improved road conditions and visible action in their communities. As a new administration we are determined to listen and act on this and our teams are working throughout the year to actively maintain our roads, predict and prevent problems, innovate our approaches and respond to issues as they arise.”

Protecting roads during hot weather

The council said prolonged high temperatures and uninterrupted sunshine this summer had caused some road surfaces to soften.

As temperatures fall and surfaces harden again, weaknesses can develop, increasing the risk of further potholes.

Gritters are being used to spread granite material on affected roads, helping to reduce the amount of heat absorbed by the surface and protect it from damage.

The vehicles will continue to be deployed throughout the summer, with routes fully inspected once temperatures drop. Any defects identified will then be scheduled for repair.

The council is also using favourable weather conditions to accelerate its planned maintenance programme and has completed half of this year’s resurfacing work, covering around 50 miles of road.

However, resurfacing must be paused when temperatures become too high for materials to set correctly.

Dry conditions have also significantly reduced grass growth, allowing some highways staff to be temporarily reassigned to clean road signs, improve road markings and clear vegetation.

A countywide Street Scene Trial is due to be launched, with dedicated teams carrying out work including cutting back overhanging vegetation, cleaning road signs, clearing debris from drainage assets and completing minor repairs to street furniture.

The council said the trial would respond directly to concerns raised by residents and deliver visible improvements in local communities.

Cllr Woodhurst-Trueman added: “Most of our investment is rightly focused on keeping the network safe and operational through inspections, drainage maintenance, winter service activities and highway repairs. However, we know that when signs are dirty, vegetation overhangs, crossings have a build-up of debris, our local streets look and feel unloved. So, we are stepping up our work in this area, delivering visible improvements to local streets.”

Preparations under way for winter

The county council said it was already preparing for the challenges of next winter.

New dedicated winter maintenance teams will carry out preventative drainage work in locations that have experienced problems in previous years.

This will include clearing leaves, unblocking drains and keeping drainage channels free-flowing.

The council is also working with contractors to ensure enough resources are available to respond to flooding during severe weather.

Its Riparian Drainage Team is working alongside private landowners, town and parish councils and utility companies to keep privately owned ditches, streams and other watercourses clear.

Officials said this would help prevent the highway drainage system from becoming overloaded and allow water to drain away from roads more effectively.

Cllr Woodhurst-Trueman added: “I am pleased that our teams are taking the opportunity provided by an exceptionally hot and dry summer to reassign resources and tackle issues highlighted by our residents.

“Working with our contractors, we are building the capacity needed to tackle flooding and overall, I am confident we have a solid plan in place to reduce the impact a wet winter has on our roads and keep West Sussex residents moving.”

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