Local elections are coming on 7 May 2026, as the people of our area choose councillors to represent them on Adur District Council and West Sussex County Council – for a limited term before the creation of a new unitary authority.
We asked three questions of the candidates and parties seeking your vote. Here (in alphabetical order by party) are the responses we have received so far. We will keep updating this page.
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Green Party
Independent
Reform UK
Green Party
Gabe Crisp – standing for Buckingham ward, Adur District Council
1. How do you see the role of cycling and other forms of sustainable transport in an area facing extensive development, growing population, and fears of worsening congestion, air pollution and parking shortages?
“Essential to develop active travel routes alongside current builds and plan then in for any future housing developments. Improved frequency of bus services to Shoreham Beach. Sort out the pricing zones on the 700 bus route. Extend the cycle hire schemes to join up to Steyning and Worthing. More cycle hubs, especially at train stations. Especially Shoreham and Southwick!”
2. Our members and other local people tell us they need more safe, direct cycling routes through our area. Among the network that has been long planned by WSCC and ADC, which routes do you see as being most urgent?
“Building safe cycle route along the A259 to connect from Portslade border to Goring. Reinstating the much maligned USR route with a proper design. Middle Road permeable access scheme for walkers, wheelers, cyclists
“Get Tesco/M&S to put in a proper cycle route from all the access directions and safe cycle storage. And/or a cycle hire hub at Holmbush. Cargo bikes for hire at Holmbush and B&Q?”
3. Over the next few years of huge transition for local government, how can councillors guard against the risk of stalling and delay in the progress that is urgently needed?
“The impetus provided by this ‘end of an era’ administration should give councillors of all parties an incentive to “wash up” overdue business. They’ll want to leave a legacy. And many of the same individuals will be shadowing themselves in 12 months’ time! So there should be some knowledge transfer and carry through of momentum going into the UA.“
Maggie Rumble – standing for Southlands ward, Adur District Council
1. How do you see the role of cycling and other forms of sustainable transport in an area facing extensive development, growing population, and fears of worsening congestion, air pollution and parking shortages?
“If public transport is cheap, easy and reliable people are more likely to use this than cars which constantly both cause and experience congestion. Investigate provision of small electric vehicles for public transport, running more frequently than double decker buses. These could also travel along routes closer to people’s residences rather than just along main roads such as A259 and Upper Shoreham Road. Provision of safe cycleways especially along Middle Road, A259 and USR, plus the roads linking them. Investigate viability of one way routes and traffic calming on these roads.
“Provision of linked up cycle hire schemes, safer cycle storage, encourage shops to provide more cycle parking spaces. Ensure that train services actively encourage cyclists to use them.“
2. Our members and other local people tell us they need more safe, direct cycling routes through our area. Among the network that has been long planned by WSCC and ADC, which routes do you see as being most urgent?
“Middle Road and A259 as priorities.“
3. Over the next few years of huge transition for local government, how can councillors guard against the risk of stalling and delay in the progress that is urgently needed?
“A moratorium on consultations. Before a change in administration, an agreement must be made on exactly which active travel schemes must be implemented.“
Independent
Joss Loader – standing for Shoreham South division, West Sussex County Council
1. How do you see the role of cycling and other forms of sustainable transport in an area facing extensive development, growing population, and fears of worsening congestion, air pollution and parking shortages?
“Cycling is an essential part of future strategic planning, particularly as pressure mounts on councils to build new homes. It shouldn’t be seen as the only alternative to driving – in the same way that vehicles aren’t a straight swap for bikes. Many local people do both. It’s encouraging to know that Shoreham Academy has a higher-than-average number of students cycling to school. This encourages self-reliance and exercise, as well as helping to keep vehicles off the road at peak times.“
2. Our members and other local people tell us they need more safe, direct cycling routes through our area. Among the network that has been long planned by WSCC and ADC, which routes do you see as being most urgent?
“In an ideal world, we’d adopt a co-ordinated approach, with a network across the district. However budgets obviously impose constraints. I’d like to see WSCC prioritising travel-to-school routes, across the district (there’s already been some progress) and the A259 has to be a top priority, given to the substantial numbers of new homes on an already congested arterial route. Further investment in bus routes would also help.”
3. Over the next few years of huge transition for local government, how can councillors guard against the risk of stalling and delay in the progress that is urgently needed?
“Council resources are already stretched and [Local Government Reorganisation] is obviously taking up a lot of work. We need a cohesive, costed approach to the new unitary authorities – and constantly changing goalposts are creating their own issues. We also require experienced, vocal councillors – with effective working relationships with officers already in place – who can step up the momentum. Otherwise, there’s a danger that everything will stagnate.”
Julia Watts – standing for Marine ward, Adur District Council
1. How do you see the role of cycling and other forms of sustainable transport in an area facing extensive development, growing population, and fears of worsening congestion, air pollution and parking shortages?
“In short, essential. We should be aiming to make it so much quicker and safer to travel by bike that cycling is the first option of travel.”
2. Our members and other local people tell us they need more safe, direct cycling routes through our area. Among the network that has been long planned by WSCC and ADC, which routes do you see as being most urgent?
“I’ve wondered for a while whether there is a case for sympathetic lighting on the Downs Link route for us after dark for safer access to Steyning and beyond. The Steyning Road is pretty treacherous and the off road Downs Link is the safer and much nicer route by daylight but hard to navigate after dark.”
3. Over the next few years of huge transition for local government, how can councillors guard against the risk of stalling and delay in the progress that is urgently needed?
“We need officers and Councillors who are committed to the cause and see the improvement and implementation of cycle routes and cyclists safety as paramount not just the icing on the cake.”
Reform UK
Mike Mendoza, standing for Lancing division, West Sussex County Council
1. How do you see the role of cycling and other forms of sustainable transport in an area facing extensive development, growing population, and fears of worsening congestion, air pollution and parking shortages?
“Congestion is a major problem facing us in the future as is parking shortages. Far more options need to be available to those who are fit and able to cycle. There should also be affordable bikes available to all.“
2. Our members and other local people tell us they need more safe, direct cycling routes through our area. Among the network that has been long planned by WSCC and ADC, which routes do you see as being most urgent?
“Coast Road (259). PLUS some sort of alternative to the A27 for cyclists to get from Brighton to Worthing.”
3. Over the next few years of huge transition for local government, how can councillors guard against the risk of stalling and delay in the progress that is urgently needed?
“Reform in general is not in favour of the transition for local govt. Thos of us lucky enough to be elected to County Level will fight the new proposals.”
SHOREHAM-BY-CYCLE 