MORE than half of the pavements in East Sussex need to have work done on them.

The figures were revealed as Eastbourne councillor Pat Rodohan (Lib Dem) asked Nick Bennett, lead member for transport and environment on the county council, what will be done about it.

Cllr Rodohan said: “According to this council’s asset management figures, ten per cent of the roads of East Sussex need maintenance, which I applaud as it is a great improvement over the past few years.

“However it also says that 54 per cent of our pavements need maintenance. What plans are in place for improvements to our pavements so that our residents can walk and ride a scooter safely?”

In reply, Cllr Nick Bennett, the council’s lead member for transport and environment, said: “I was pleased to circulate just last week a briefing on highways asset management works. Included in that are options for the ways in which we repair and maintain our roads and our footways.

“As you know, the whole thing works on a series of priorities and if there are particular areas – whether it is a footway or otherwise – then the process is to report through the highways steward, which means there will be a follow-up inspection.

“In terms of footway repairs, particularly in Eastbourne, you will have seen the extraordinary work that has gone on around the town centre. You will also be aware that some of the residential roads have had a great deal of money spent on them. “

Cllr Bennett added that about £720,000 had been spent on the maintenance works in Eastbourne.   

In a follow-up question Cllr Rodohan asked Cllr Bennett to specify what planned pavement maintenance the council was undertaking.

Cllr Bennett said: “There is a planned maintenance programme for footways, it is £1.6 million every year. Of course that is across the whole of the county [and] you have to refer to the asset plan to determine which footways are first to be mended.”