Pothole problem set to continue

But that still leaves 42 per cent of last winter's defects awaiting permanent repairs and there are fears that with the onset of winter not far away, the backlog of work could lengthen dramatically.

At current county council budget rates, it could take 26 years to complete all the work.

None of this includes deteriorating areas on the A27, which is classified as a trunk road and as such comes under the remit of the Highways Agency.

The remainder of routes, including the A24, where there are serious defects on the southbound carriageway approaching West Grinstead traffic lights, come under the jurisdiction of the county council.

Cllr Derek Whittington, county cabinet member for strategic planning and transport, said it was estimated the outstanding work would cost 2m, and the county council's patching programme and surface dressing planned for 2010-11 would target these areas.

He was responding at a meeting last week to comments by Cllr James Walsh, who asked if there was concern that with 42 per cent of last winter's defects not yet permanently repaired, and one month to go before this winter, a lengthening backlog could be foreseen.

Cllr Whittington said he was concerned there were 42 per cent still to be done, but they were talking about some repairs which were known, and planned to be permanent, because they had to revisit them as temporary repairs.

"Every member of the county council is aware of the pot-hole policy we have, which is to prioritise work in the neediest areas, such as around schools and homes for older people," he added.

Looking outside the county, when it came to A roads, West Sussex had three per cent in need of maintenance, East Sussex 14 per cent, and Hampshire seven per cent.

On unclassified roads, West Sussex was very much on a par with its neighbours.

Cllr Whittington said it was estimated that to meet all the maintenance needs of all the roads in West Sussex, the cost would be around 158m.

Based on current capital and revenue budgets combined for carriageway maintenance, to achieve this would require around 26 years of investment.

In the interim there have been rising complaints from motorists about the state of the roads and the impact on the wear and tear of their vehicles.

The news has come at a time when West Sussex County Council is scaling back some of this year's spending plans in order to cope with growing pressure on its budget as the recession continues to bite.

Councillors have been told that balancing the 2009/2010 budget will mean '“ 'tough decisions, prioritising what we do and providing less in some areas'.