Liberal Democrat Pressure Forces £2.4m Conservative U-Turn On West Sussex’s Roads
Horsham Liberal Democrat, West Sussex County Councillors and candidates for 7 May elections.
CHICHESTER, WEST SUSSEX – Just days after voting down a Liberal Democrat proposal to increase road maintenance funding, the Conservative administration at West Sussex County Council has performed a dramatic U-turn, committing £2.4m in "windfall" government grant to the highways budget.
At the Performance and Finance Scrutiny Committee on Friday, March 6, Cabinet Member for Finance Councillor Jeremy Hunt confirmed that the unexpected grant, received during the final stages of the budget process, would be directed toward highways.
A Short Memory for the Cabinet
The decision marks a significant reversal in policy. Only one week prior, during the Council’s 2026/27 budget-making meeting, the Conservative majority blocked a formal amendment from the Liberal Democrat Group. That amendment sought to allocate an additional £2m specifically for highways maintenance to tackle the county’s crumbling road infrastructure.
At the time, the administration refused to accept the necessity of the extra funding. However, following sustained pressure from Liberal Democrat councillors and public outcry over the state of local roads, the Cabinet has now opted to spend even more than the original opposition proposal.
“Caving to Pressure”
Liberal Democrat spokespeople have welcomed the funding but highlighted the political inconsistency of the Conservative leadership.
Councillor Jay Mercer, Leader of the West Sussex County Council Liberal Democrats, said:
"It is clear that the Conservative administration has blinked.
“A week ago, they told us the money wasn't there or wasn't needed. Now, suddenly, they’ve found £2.4m for the exact same purpose. While we are glad the roads will finally get the investment they deserve, it shouldn't take an opposition shaming for the Conservatives to realize that fixing potholes is a priority for West Sussex residents."
Key Facts at a Glance
| Event | Conservative Action | Liberal Democrat Position |
|---|---|---|
| Budget Meeting (Late Feb) | Refused £2m Highways Amendment | Proposed £2m boost for road repairs |
| Scrutiny Committee (March 6) | Confirmed £2.4m windfall for Highways | Validated as a victory for Lib Dem pressure |
| Net Result | A full U-turn on extra highways spending | Success in securing extra infrastructure funds |
The Liberal Democrats will continue to monitor the allocation of these funds to ensure the money is spent directly on highways maintenance.