Questions from members of the public

Committee report · Full Council · Tue 24 Mar 2026 · East Sussex County Council

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The response from the Leader said the County Council took the decision to step in and complete the road after the allocated funding had been spent by 2023, that a detailed post-project report is being prepared, and that the Council will consider all options for recovering the overspend. p17 p18

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p17Response by the Leader - Lead Member for Strategic Management and Economic Development.
p18Thank you for your question. The QGR project and current position: The earlier phases of the Queensway Gateway Road were undertaken by Sea Change Sussex as the original scheme promoter using Local Growth Fund monies from the South East Local Enterprise Partnership. However, by 2023, the allocated funding had been spent, and the road remained incomplete. The County Council took the decision to step in and complete the project to ensure the road could open to benefit all users, using our highways contractor. When the County Council took control of the works, a number of issues were identified that needed rectifying, additional design requirements from statutory providers, and unforeseen utilities and ground conditions. These factors extended the programme and increased costs beyond the original completion estimate. Previous published budget cost: I must clarify your statement about the last published agreed cost budget of £10m. The budget allocated at that time included a capital grant of £10m from the Local Growth Fund programme administered by the South East Local Enterprise Partnership, alongside a proposed contingency contribution of £2m by the promotor. As a result, the initial budget was considered to be £12m. Latest published budget/cost: With regards to the latest published forecast project cost to clarify the statement you have made, this has not been reported as £15m. Once the financial accounts have been finalised, we will report the total project cost to the County Council. Management of the project: Turning to the point you have made about holding those responsible for the management of the project. I can confirm that a detailed post-project report is being prepared, which will set out the full timeline of the scheme, the expenditure incurred and the lessons learned which will be taken into future infrastructure projects. On the further point you have raised about recovering the overspend the County Council will be considering all options available.

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East Sussex County Council

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Appendix 2 TM Prudential Indicators - 10.03.2026 · Committee report
Appendix 3 ASCH - 10.03.2026 · Committee report
Appendix 4 BSD - 10.03.2026 · Committee report
Appendix 5 CSD - 10.03.2026 · Committee report
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Questions from County Councillors · Committee report
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