Can local election candidates fix our roads?
The condition of roads in Sussex and Surrey is a key issue in local elections on 7 May, with councils reporting a rise in potholes and estimated repair costs of £18.6bn. Local election candidates from the five main parties have outlined their plans to fix the roads, including increased funding and improved maintenance.
Councils in Sussex and Surrey are dealing with a rise in potholes due to a wet winter. West Sussex County Council repaired 3,701 potholes in February 2026, up from 2,533 in February 2025. East Sussex and Surrey County Councils also reported increases. The councils have boosted the number of teams working on repairs. A government rating system ranks the councils as 'amber', indicating room for improvement. Local election candidates have outlined plans to fix the roads, including Labour's pledge to fill an additional million potholes, Conservative's call for more funding, and the Green Party's plan to invest in buses and bring road repair contracts back 'in-house'. The estimated cost to fix all potholes in England and Wales is £18.6bn.
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