Preparations winter have been stepped up after the West Sussex’s roads faced the combined impacts of extreme winter rainfall and prolonged summer heat.

While repairing damage caused by the severe weather, West Sussex County Council’s highways teams is also taking proactive action to improve the resilience of the county’s road network ahead of what is forecast to be another difficult winter.

The council ssaid its highways team repaired more than 15,000 potholes and patched over 110,200 square metres of road surface during the first six months of the financial year, after the number of defects soared following the wet winter.

A spokesperson added: “At the same time, this summer’s prolonged high temperatures caused softening on some road surfaces. As the surface re-hardens, new weaknesses can develop, increasing the risk of potholes.

Tthe number of defects on the county's roads soared following the wet winter. File picture: Eddie Mitchell

placeholder image — Tthe number of defects on the county's roads soared following the wet winter. File picture: Eddie Mitchell

“During the hot weather, crushed granite was applied to affected roads to help bind and stabilise the surface. Now the temperatures have dropped these roads are being fully inspected, with patching and remedial works completed where necessary. Where the affected area is too large for patching, roads will be scheduled for hydro-blasting treatment or resurfacing.”

As part of its preventative approach to highway maintenance, the council has invested in a new thermal road repair unit which heats, rejuvenates and reworks the existing asphalt in place, reducing the need for excavation of damaged sections of carriageway.

The new repair technique means multiple potholes can be treated at the same time, increasing the number of defects that can be treated earlier, before they become a large pothole, extending the life of the surface and reducing future maintenance costs.

This new process reduces the amount of material used, as only a small amount of new material needs to be added when completing repairs, lowers carbon emissions and improves productivity and efficiency.

More than 15,000 potholes have been repaired in the first six months of the financial year. File picture: Eddie Mitchell

Councillor Erika Woodhurst-Trueman, West Sussex County Council’s cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “Both last winter’s exceptional rainfall and this summer’s prolonged periods of high temperatures had a significant effect on our road network, causing both damage and disruption.

“While we can’t control the weather, our highways teams have been planning for the possibility of another challenging winter and doing everything they can to keep our roads safe and West Sussex residents and visitors moving.

“I am very proud of how they have responded to the changing demands of extreme weather and their determination to reduce the impact of future severe weather events.”

Reducing flood risk remains a key priority ahead of winter, with the council continuing to work with landowners and partner organisations to address drainage issues and improve flood resilience.

Since April 1,the highways team has cleansed 29,645 ‘drainage assets’ and completed 75 drainage repair and improvement schemes across the county, with a further nine large-scale improvements scheduled for completion by March 31, 2027.

Over the next eight weeks, 63 flood-prone locations across West Sussex will receive proactive drainage cleansing to help ensure drainage systems are functioning effectively before winter conditions arrive.

In Shripney, one of the areas most affected by flooding last winter, a programme of proactive cleansing of drainage assets has been carried in recent weeks. The council is also working closely with the Environment Agency to remove silt from river outlets and improve water flow, while continuing investigations into longer-term measures that could further increase flood resilience in the area.

The spokesperson said: “Alongside drainage and maintenance work, the council has invested in modernising its winter service operation through fleet enhancements and new treatment technology to improve efficiency and resilience during freezing conditions.

“New equipment has been installed at our highway depots and on our gritting vehicles to enable salt to be pre-wetted as it is spread onto the road. This helps it adhere more effectively to the carriageway, making sure that it remains where it is needed.

“The improvements will help ensure salt stocks are used more efficiently while maintaining the effectiveness of winter treatments across the county’s priority road network.”

Cllr Woodhurst-Trueman added: “The team have been working hard, clearing drainage assets such as ditches, gullies and culverts, giving priority to flood-prone areas, progressing long-term drainage solutions in flood-prone locations such as Shripney, and continuing investment in innovative maintenance techniques and winter service improvements.

“By taking action now, we are helping to ensure that residents can continue to travel safely and that our highway network remains as resilient as possible throughout the winter months.

“The recent work demonstrates how the council is using innovation and funding to deliver tangible improvements for residents while making the best use of public resources to provide a safer, more resilient highway network for residents and road users across the county.”