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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Conservatives
Green Party
Independent
Labour
Reform UK
Conservatives
Kevin Boram – standing for Buckingham ward on Adur District Council, and answering on behalf of all local Conservative candidates
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?
“Successive governments have placed huge housing demands on Adir in order to try and meet the local housing demand. Had the council not given planning permission the council would have lost on appeal. This has been demonstrated on a number of occasions when planning approval was not given and your council lost and picked up all of the costs of appeal incurred by the developer. Consequently, improved sustainable transport, such as walking and cycling as well as public transport is vital to reduce the adverse environmental impact of the development for the wellbeing of the community and environment going forwards. More people using sustainable travel will reduce traffic thereby benefiting those that have to drive. To encourage sustainable travel, controlled crossings and two Safer School Street schemes have been implemented by West Sussex County Council as well as other improvements around Adur. More needs to be done, but they need to be supported by other stakeholders such Adur District Council for parking enforcement and the Police for other vehicle issues. In addition, Adur District Council needs to enforce the travel plans developers are obliged to prepare during the planning process. We have to invest in the sustainable infrastructure of our towns and cities to relieve development pressure on our valuable countryside.”
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?
“The most urgent route to be developed in Adur has to be along the A259 together with appropriate links. This should be implemented as and when the developments are being completed to improve the economics of the scheme to the public purse and also to ensure that when the developments are occupied residents can make the change to sustainable travel as part of their change in their lifestyle. There are also significant issues of significant parking on footpaths, obstructing pedestrians and particularly those who have to use wheel transport such as electric buggies. Our roads also need to be made safer for cyclists by clamping down on dangerous and inconsiderate parking. All these measures will improve the environment for active and sustainable travel. It is important to remember that the Mayor will have a significant influence on transport policy and strategy. It is vitally important that coherent active and sustainable travel plans are developed throughout Sussex particularly linking up with bus and rail networks.”
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 reorganisation of local government will take significant resources to deliver, and no doubt political energy. However, the councils have to deliver business as normal during this period. We cannot waste two or three years of inactivity. It is vital that councillors not only ensure the delivery of an effective reorganisation but business as normal, being the continuing delivery of better active and sustainable infrastructure continues at an improved pace to match the fast delivery of new homes in Adur. Councillors will have to make a significant personal contribution to their public duties during this period.”
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.“
Gerry Thompson – standing for Shoreham South division on 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 and other forms of sustainable transportation such as buses clearly must be enabled to play a far more significant role in this area as it faces massive overdevelopment and the increasing population which this brings, together with all-round lack of supporting infrastructure. The overdevelopment has unfortunately been irresistible due to successive governments, including the present one, perennially hiking up obligations on local authorities to give planning permission for more and more outsize developments. But this should mean that all the more emphasis is given to sustainable transport and I undertake to do this if elected.”
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?
“As a daily local cyclist, I completely agree that we need more safe and well-placed cycling routes through our area – yet those which have long been agreed through rare co-operation between district and county authorities have still not been implemented. The pollical composition of WSCC looks set to alter radically after the current council managed to cancel its elections last time round. If elected to county council I would work on bringing priority to this implementation, focusing on what I see as the most urgently needed such as those all along the A259, the Upper Shoreham Road and Middle Road, and better arrangements to make School Streets safer.
“Having been vice-chair of ADC planning committee, I have supported and helped push through the long-delayed pathway alongside the Yacht Club. If I continue service on the committee I shall work to see these routes incorporated into new developments.”
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 change of overall administration is likely as a result of the County Council elections, which could well provide opportunities as well as challenges. One possibility is that newly elected green councillors throughout West Sussex will have bargaining power in any alliance, as well as being able to press on particular issues felt by residents in the respective county divisions.
“The other factor, of course, is that Local Government Reorganization is looming, as well as election of ‘shadow’ unitary authority councillors a year from now. This too provides both opportunities and challenges in terms of these crucial issues raised by Shoreham By Cycle. Personally, as a member of ADC’s working group on preparing for LGR, I see that there is a will to push these things forward to form a part of our legacy rather than just wait and see what happens. If elected to county on May 7th I would be pressing both there and at district level for these proposals to be absolutely prioritised.“
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.”
Labour
David Devoy – standing for Buckingham ward on 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?
“I am a cyclist who’s never held a full driving licence. I think cycling brings a lot of benefits, including health and wellbeing ones. So I think we should do all that we can to make it available and safe for people of all ages, including through proficiency training, cycle routes and safe storage.
“I also support providing more charging points for electric vehicles and, as a goal, the return of the £2 bus fare, which works so well in Manchester.”
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?
“Our coastal situation is a great blessing, and I support joining up a cycle route from Brighton to Worthing and beyond. I have played a small part in achieving that already. I would also like to see good cycle routes around schools and retail centres.”
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 District Council has further committed plans, and there is a far better chance of sustaining the momentum you rightfully seek if there is a continuation of administration. “
Jeremy Gardner – standing for St Mary’s ward on 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?
“Sustainable transport is vitally important. It is important that we reduce car use but that can only be done by offering safe choices. That means investment in public transport and more cycle routes. We have to see the joining up of cycle routes to create coherent cycle networks. And fewer potholes on existing cycle routes.
“I welcome the increase in cycle parking in public places, although the theft of bikes remains a problem in areas such as Shoreham station. Adur and Worthing councils are increasing the number of bikes for hire, with an increase in sites to collect hire bikes from.”
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?
“Our council has ensured that the A259 eastwards from Shoreham and the Lancing to Sompting cycle way scheme are in the new Adur and WSCC growth plan. This means they stand as priorities for both councils. We will continue to work with WSCC to encourage progress – in particular that the A259 cycle path might be built in stages rather than waiting even longer for a cycle lane covering the full route. Routes to and from schools are, of course, priorities. Middle Road should be improved further as a cycle route.
“North-south routes to areas of employment or retail outlets should be considered. This would include bike hire hubs and safe routes at areas such as Holmbush and village shopping centres.”
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 unitary authority, combining district and county responsibilities, could speed things along. In the run-up to the unitary we must have costed, competent, plans in place to hand over. The unitary will be looking for quick wins; let’s give the unitary and the combined county authority (which will become the Sussex and Brighton Mayoral authority) plans they can take up straight away. Of course, electing councillors and a Mayor that want this to happen is vital too. The A259 and Lancing to Sompting cycle ways are already in the Adur and WSCC growth plan, so are well-placed.”
Responses given on behalf of East Worthing and Shoreham Labour Party, written by Cllr Andy Harvey, current Adur District Council Cabinet Member for Environment and Leisure (though Andy himself is mid-term, and is not a candidate in this year’s election).
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?
“The question highlights a significant concern for the future of Adur. Housing targets will continue to push for further residential development, concentrated in fewer brownfield sites within the District. Recent major developments, such as those on the Western Harbour Arm in Shoreham, have been allowed to offer well below the recommended level of on-site parking. The rationale for this has been that reducing on-site parking will encourage people out of car ownership. This may be appropriate in cities, but less achievable in smaller towns and villages. The implication is that people will use both public transport and will walk/cycle locally.
“We are well served by public transport in some areas of the District, but less so in others. Rail transport east to west is well provided for, as well as access to London. Similarly, bus transport east to west along the coast road is good, but much more patchy in other areas. It is self-evident that people will need to be enticed away from their love affair with the car, although increased fuel prices for ICE vehicles may help to reduce car use. This will involve greater investment in public transport, and more creative rural links, such as those offered by flexi-bus schemes.
“We have some good cycling infrastructure in the District, and have benefitted from investment by WSCC in improving cycleways and road junctions in various places. The future would need to see the joining up of schemes to create coherent cycle networks. The agreed government Growth Deal does support investment in the A259 and the Lancing-Sompting cycleways in future years.
“Commuting by bicycle needs further encouragement. Incentive schemes, such as those encouraged by Shoreham Port and South Downs Leisure need to be supported and extended, in order to reduce, particularly, single occupant short commutes by car to and from work. We should be looking to support other, perhaps smaller, businesses to adopt such schemes.
“We have seen an increase in cycle parking in public places, and Adur and Worthing are increasing the number of bikes for hire, with an increase in sites to collect hire bikes from – this includes new bikes with frames made from bamboo.”
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?
“Perhaps the most discussed route is the coastal route, allowing a continuous cycleway from Brighton and Hove to Worthing. Much of this is in place, with good sections from Shoreham footbridge travelling west. This has been improved by enhancements at Shoreham Beach Green and Lancing Beach Green. The section along the Western Harbour Arm is less satisfactory, being littered with pinch points and multiple ownership issues. One success has been the softening of WSCC’s stance that no work would be commenced on the route along the A259 until all residential developments are complete – there is agreement that work could be completed in stages. The pinch point issues, notably around the Kingston Beach area, are far from resolved, and may prove prohibitively expensive. It may be necessary to consider an inland route using the existing cycleway along Middle Road and Park Lane to bypass this area.
“As previously mentioned, the Growth Deal makes reference to developing the Lancing/Sompting cycleroute. As a general point, north/south routes may need consideration as commuter routes to areas of either high employment or major retail outlets. Adding bike hire hubs at areas such as Holmbush and village shopping centres may encourage shoppers not to travel by car.”
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 Administration in Adur is single minded in continuing a ‘business as usual’ policy, and will not shelve or stall projects that are under way. Clearly, a ‘handover’ period will be part of Local Government Reorganisation, but until the so called ‘Vesting Day’ elected Adur councillors will be the ones responsible for decisions.
“The new make-up of the Council after the May election may have an effect on the continuation of current policies, and councillors in place now may not necessarily be in a position to ensure continuity – this is in the hands of the electorate. This is also the case at county level, as the balance within WSCC may be significantly altered by the May County Council elections.
Dave Lovelidge, standing for Eastbrook 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?
“We need joined up thinking to integrate cycling, running, walking and all forms of fitness transport, plus other sustainable transport alongside traditional forms of transport.Not just from a getting from A to B perspective, but from an environmental and physical health perspective.”
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?
“Safety for all road users, including pedestrians, is paramount. The order should be decided after consultation with the stakeholders.”
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?
“That is why it is important to elect the right person for mayor. They can have an overview of the process.”
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.”
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Conservatives
Green Party
Independent
Labour
Reform UK
SHOREHAM-BY-CYCLE 