West Sussex County Council repaired 20,326 potholes in 2025-26, spending £4.85 million on reactive maintenance, a Freedom of Information investigation by Legal Expert has found. The council says this figure represents only a fraction of its highways expenditure.
More than 70% of the council's highways budget is allocated to preventative work aimed at reducing pothole formation, according to a spokesperson. This includes measures to address underlying causes before defects appear on the surface.
Preventing potholes, not just patching
Potholes develop when water penetrates cracks in the carriageway and traffic compounds the damage until the surface fails. Reports typically come once defects become severe enough for road users to notice and complain.
West Sussex emphasises that the £4.85 million spent on repairs covers just the reactive stage. The majority of funding supports activities intended to limit potholes forming in the first place.
Wider maintenance workload
In 2025-26, the council raised nearly 50,000 safety defects with its highways contractor. Of these, 1,080 required immediate officer "make safe" repairs, which are temporary measures followed by permanent fixes.
This two-step repair process is standard across the sector but means the 20,326 potholes repaired do not account for the total volume of highway defects addressed in the year.
Growing demand for repairs
West Sussex has seen a sharp rise in pothole reports. In February 2026 alone, over 7,000 potholes were reported, more than double the 2,300 reported in February 2025.
Councillor Joy Dennis, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, explained this increase prompted the council to expand repair teams. In February 2026, 3,701 potholes were repaired, up from 2,533 the previous year.
Balancing immediate and long-term work
Repairing potholes quickly keeps the network safe and operational but does not address broader road deterioration. Authorities must balance patching with more extensive resurfacing to manage roadwear effectively.
West Sussex’s approach focuses on this balance, investing heavily in preventative maintenance alongside reactive repairs. It aims to manage the long-term condition of its roads rather than just responding to defects.
What this means for road users
For drivers and residents, the figures underline a significant ongoing investment in maintaining road safety and quality. Reports and repairs are increasing year on year, reflecting both road conditions and awareness.
For councils and contractors, West Sussex’s framing highlights the importance of viewing pothole spending within the wider context of network management and prevention strategies.
