Improvement programme to give county’s roads a new lease of life

WORK to improve the condition of 22 roads across the county and keep them safer for longer will begin later this month.

The annual surface dressing programme is due to begin towards the end July with 34 miles of road being improved during July and August.

Surface dressing is carried out on roads that are in a reasonably good condition and structurally sound to protect the carriageway from water and frost to extend the life of the road by up to 10 years.

Cllr Peter Griffiths, East Sussex County Council’s lead member for transport and environment, said: “Surface dressing is a protective seal on our roads, preventing problems before they start and helping us to avoid expensive resurfacing work when roads fail.

“We know how frustrating potholes are to motorists and residents, and we have seen a significant increase in the number forming across the county’s road network in recent years.  Quite severe budget constraints prevent us from repairing as many minor potholes as we would like, but by carrying out surface dressing on roads most at risk of wear and tear, it gives us a cost-effective way of preventing potholes forming in the first place.”

The East Sussex Highways programme includes roads in Battle, Rye, Crowborough, Forest Row, Wadhurst, and Hastings.

The process involves a thin layer of bitumen and stone chippings being laid before the road is reopened to traffic to allow the chippings to bed in.  The road is swept after 24 hours and again after seven days, before road markings are reapplied.

Roads will be closed while the work is carried out with signed diversion routes in place. A temporary speed limit on 20mph will be in place following surface dressing for the safety of motorists.

A full list of roads included in the surface dressing programme and more information about the process can be found at Surface Dressing Programme | Surface Dressing Programme 2026 | live.eastsussexhighways.com

Ends.

Karen Bowles

Tuesday, 7 July 2026