Councillors faced off over the state of the roads in Brighton and Hove as the wet and cold winter weather added to the pothole problems blighting the streets.
Conservative councillor Ivan Lyons criticised what he perceived as a lack of response to recent potholes when Brighton and Hove City Council met on Thursday (26 March).
Councillor Lyons said: “The condition of many roads within the city over the winter has been totally unacceptable.”
He cited Bramble Rise, in Westdene, and asked to be told when the potholes there would be patched, having been told that it was the 511th road on the priority list.
He said: “Residents and I find it beyond bewildering that there are some 510 roads in the city in a worse condition.”
He asked for councillors to be told how each road was prioritised, as well as the list of roads to be patched and repaired.
He added that he had asked for this information “on a number of occasions … but nothing is ever sent to councillors”.
Labour councillor Trevor Muten, the council’s cabinet member for transport and city infrastructure, criticised what he said were problems caused by the previous Conservative government’s policies.
Councillor Muten said: “We have an enormous backlog … because of his party – underinvestment, underfunding and decay and decline for year upon year of the previous government.”
He compared the current Labour government’s spending on road maintenance to the sums allocated by the previous government.
For Brighton and Hove, he said, the amount had gone up from £3.7 million in 2024-25 to £5.3 million in the current financial year.
He said: “In England we have a pothole problem … the emblem of the Tory party.”
Councillor Muten also referred to the Facebook group Brighton and Hove Potholes where Councillor Lyons had posted a mocked up pothole montage.
He said: “Your use of AI imagery is not ok. It is generally shameful for a Tory to point at a Tory pothole and say, yes! What a battle! 510 on the list!”
He also thanked residents for reporting potholes, saying: “We had over 1,000 mended in January and 1,300 in February.”
Councillor Lyons repeated his demand for information about the way that roads in need of repair were assessed and prioritised.
Councillor Muten said: “We have presented the cabinet with the programme for this financial year.
“You do get a list of which ones have already been reported by residents and which ones are already scheduled, assessed and about to be fixed – and then you go out there and point at them.”
The debate highlighted a growing frustration over road maintenance in recent months as Brighton and Hove recovers from a winter in which the number of new potholes surged.
Perhaps if the inspector didn’t have to waste so much time on millionaires damaging footways from home improvements he might get time to inspect the roads
There once was a road smooth and fair,
Not a crack, not a bump anywhere—
But give it a week,
And pop!—hear the creak,
A pothole appears out of air.
In springtime they bloom with the rain,
In summer they bask in the sun’s gain,
In autumn they hide,
’Neath leaves they reside,
In winter—they multiply again.
The councils arrive with great cheer,
“Fixed now! Nothing left to fear!”
But by very next day,
In a cheeky display,
The potholes say, “Surprise—we’re still here.”
“You do get a list of which ones have already been reported by residents and which ones are already scheduled, assessed and about to be fixed – and then you go out there and point at them.”
Shameful.
We don’t get a list of the scheduled repairs. Bramble Rise for instance is 511th on the list. A request for the list has been asked & not given. A request as to how the ranking of each road is assessed is asked – but not given.
This is shameful from the Administration.
Residents pay some of the highest council taxes in the country & deserve some accountability.
I can help you there councillor, the assessment criteria is detailed on your own website and is pibmically available. https://democracy.brighton-hove.gov.uk/documents/s163632/Appendix%202%20Safety%20Highway%20Maintenance%20Policy.html?CT=2
Unfortunately that attachment doesn’t list the roads in order for repair or how roads are ranked. Thanks for the info.
Afraid not, but it does give some expectations around considerations, categories of roads, and timelines around those roads, risk factors, and points to the national guidance that the council will be following.
Unless you’re specifically asking why the other 510 roads are given more priority over that particular one, which is a lot of work from a data perspective. Least this gives you a good idea what the thought process is.
Anyway, hope it helps.
For a moment there , I was thinking you was going to offer hands on
Benjamin, “pibmically available”? That’s a bold new addition to the English language—surprised you haven’t corrected yourself yet, given how enthusiastically you usually police everyone else’s spelling.
Easy to dish it out, bit harder when it’s your turn apparently.
But sure—since it’s all so *“pibmically”* clear,
I almost spat my teeth out into my tea
Edits are not available on this website. I don’t police people’s spelling. Can you point to a specific example? #22
I’m waiting for the next Benjy ‘disingenuous’ comment. It makes my day
Cllr Lyons any idea when church rd portslade bn411lu will be getting their pot holes fixed as it’s the main rd down to the port ? .thanks
If they did 1000 repairs in the first month and 1300 in the second, 510th place would be in around 2 weeks presumably. There are a lot of roads within the councils designated area. You can’t expect a pothole to be repaired instantly in these conditions particularly after a decade of Tory spending cuts that has no doubt caused long term neglect of our roads. I remember seeing the same potholes for months in previous years.
A certain Dance(r) is raking it in here, in more ways than one!
There are signs the length of Egremont Place saying Southern Water are about to dig the road up, yet it was fully resurfaced just a few weeks ago. How are they allowed to do this? Why could the water work not be scheduled before the resurfacing?
It’s getting pretty tiresome seeing Councillor Muten continually shift the blame elsewhere instead of taking responsibility. He’s been in charge and residents are dealing with the consequences right now. At some point, accountability matters more than excuses.
On top of that, the quality of many pothole repairs is often poor, and the work seems badly coordinated. It’s not uncommon to see one pothole fixed, only for another just a few metres away to be left until weeks or even months later. That’s not just a funding issue – it’s a planning and execution problem. Who exactly is he going to blame for that?
It’s time for him to step aside and let someone more competent take over.
I don’t really agree with this, I think funding is still the core issue here, and conservative defunding the roads by over half for 14 years and can’t be reversed overnight, so you have to look at trends for a fairer picture. The neglect they showed back then is effecting us now,.and that’s an important link to remind ourselves. If Conservatives looked after our roads, Labour wouldn’t have to be dealing with them now.
You’re right though that patchwork is temporary by it’s very nature, but it is a pragmatic solution until a road can be fully renovated. It’s far cheaper to do the latter, but people have to drive on those roads in the meanwhile, right?
I don’t see what anyone else could do differently to tackle the long-term neglect of the conservative government.
The condition of the roads in this city during the winter are the worst they have ever been. Labour Council & Labour Government and the blame is squarely on Labour. You can’t blame previous governments on this one.
Well, you CAN, because that’s how degregation works. They’d be in a bad state whoever was after the Conservatives.
Gosh, Benjamin, that feels like a pretty naive take if you think funding is the core issue here. You clearly lack any experience of how large organisations and government operate in practice.
Of course funding matters, but it’s not the whole story. There are clear issues with how the work is being planned and delivered locally — poor-quality repairs, inefficiencies, and a lack of coordination. You can’t realistically pin all of that on a government from years ago.
It’s also worth asking how money has been prioritised for years. Significant sums have gone into projects like the i360 and others, so it’s not simply a case of there being no money at all — it’s about how effectively it’s used.
Yes, patching is sometimes necessary, but when it’s done badly or in a piecemeal way — fixing one pothole and then coming back weeks later for another a few metres away — that points to poor management, not just lack of funding.
Blaming everything on past governments avoids accountability for what’s happening now. The real question is: why isn’t the current leadership delivering better results with the resources they do have?
There’s strong evidence that shows the lack of maintenance is why the roads are in such a state now. That lack of maintenance was primarily driven by 14 years of Conservative government cutting funding for road maintenance in half. That impact is not seen immediately. It’s showing now.
i360 is being conflated with national funding here; that was also a completely different situation. Also, generic phrasing and a lack of specifics are very strong telltale signs, “Bucky”.
“There’s strong evidence that shows the lack of maintenance is why the roads are in such a state now. ”
Add that to the words of wisdom. I rest my case.
…and what did I say after that Bucky? And how did I clarify when that lack of maintenance happened? You can’t just selectively choose a sentence and say that proves your view, silly. Especially when it’s literally in the same comment thread. 🙃
Here’s a **step-by-step “mini timeline”** of how a typical Benjamin thread unfolds on Brighton and Hove News—this is a realistic composite based on multiple real threads, showing how things escalate:
—
## 🧵 Stage 1: The original comment
Benjamin posts something fairly normal but opinionated:
> “The council need to do more about cars parking on the curb. Its getting ridiculous now.”
👉 Two triggers immediately visible:
* “curb” (American spelling)
* “Its” (missing apostrophe)
—
## 👀 Stage 2: First correction (mild)
Another commenter jumps in:
> “*Kerb. And it’s.*”
👉 Short, sharp, not even engaging with the argument.
—
## 😏 Stage 3: Slight escalation
A second person piles on:
> “If you can’t spell it, maybe don’t lecture others about it.”
👉 Now it’s personal, not just correction.
—
## 🔥 Stage 4: Benjamin responds
Benjamin replies:
> “I think you understood perfectly well what I meant.”
👉 He refuses to concede—focus stays on meaning, not accuracy.
—
## 🎯 Stage 5: Dogpile begins
Multiple commenters join:
> “We’re in the UK—learn the language.”
>
> “It’s basic English.”
>
> “Embarrassing.”
👉 This is where threads often snowball.
—
## 🧠 Stage 6: Argument vs spelling split
Two parallel conversations form:
**Group A (topic):**
> “Parking enforcement is underfunded…”
**Group B (spelling):**
> “It’s ‘you’re’, not ‘your’—again!”
👉 The thread fractures into:
* actual debate
* meta-argument about literacy
—
## 🛡️ Stage 7: Benjamin digs in
Typical reply:
> “Focusing on spelling doesn’t make you right.”
Or:
> “Predictable—no argument, so you go after typos.”
👉 He reframes corrections as a *tactic of weak debaters*.
—
## 😄 Stage 8: Sarcasm phase
Now the tone shifts more humorous/mock:
> “Benjamin vs the dictionary—round 12.”
>
> “Spellcheck has left the chat.”
👉 This is where others start enjoying the spectacle.
—
## 🧨 Stage 9: Peak chaos
At this point, replies look like:
> “Bad spelling, bad take.”
>
> “Learn English.”
>
> “Are you doing this on purpose now?”
Benjamin:
> “Glad we’ve abandoned the topic entirely.”
👉 The original issue is basically gone.
—
## 🧊 Stage 10: Thread cools off
Eventually:
* New comments move back to the article topic
* Or moderators step in (occasionally)
* Or it just fizzles out
—
## 🧠 What makes this pattern so consistent
* **Low-effort entry point:** spotting a typo is easy
* **High emotional payoff:** correcting someone feels like “winning”
* **Recurring characters:** regulars recognise each other
* **Escalation loop:**
* typo → correction → defensiveness → pile-on → sarcasm
—
## 🎭 The “roles” in the drama
You’ll usually see:
* **Benjamin** → stubborn debater, dismisses corrections
* **The Corrector** → laser-focused on spelling
* **The Piler-on** → joins for cheap shots
* **The Bystander** → makes jokes about the whole thing
—
## 💬 Why people keep reading these
It’s basically:
* part argument
* part comedy
* part ongoing rivalry
A lot of readers scroll comments *specifically* expecting this kind of exchange.
—
If you want, I can show a **real full comment thread (verbatim-style reconstruction from one article)** so you can see exactly how the wording flows in one place.
So, that’s a step-by-step AI fabrication. #26 https://www.brightonandhovenews.org/2026/01/10/drivers-face-fines-for-pavement-parking-in-brighton-and-hove/
Ann E Nicky 3 months ago
Benjamin, you really must curb your spelling mistakes. The edge of a footpath is a kerb!
Benjamin 3 months ago
Very good, I did indeed use the American form of kerb, curb, instead of kerb.
, ChatGPT primarily defaults to American English vocabulary and spelling, as it was trained largely on data favoring American English standards. It typically uses American spellings (e.g., “color” over “colour”) and American vocabulary, although it can be prompted to use British English or other regional variations.
Benjamin this is hilarious.
Like a rabbit caught in the headlights
…that’s not the gotcha moment you think it is James, nor is it an answer to what I just said…
You clearly misunderstood again.
And I’m not spelling it out for you 16# time
But if you insist on using chat gpt to respond in comment section perhaps check what country settings you are using.
Nope, I understood your insinuation, it’s just not a particularly intelligent or insightful one, since people quite regularly make mistakes with Americanisms, and it’s not an indication of…well, anything really.
So again, it’s not the gotcha moment you think it is, and again, nor is it an answer to the fact that you just made a load of stuff up using AI #26 and have failed to answer my specific challenge to where I allegedly “policed spelling”. #27
So once again, James. Another flawed argument, augmented by your reliance on an imperfect LLM rather than using that grey matter between your eyes.
James, Benjamin is going to need a lie down in a darkened room after that. You win the internet today.
Maybe, but more because of the reliance on the slop that is coming out of James’ computer. When we discuss topics, at least your thoughts didn’t come out of a computer chip, even if we disagree, right?
“If spelling mistakes don’t bother Benjamin , why does he use them to criticise people? It just makes his argument look weak.”
I don’t.
You really need to get out more James.
Ditchling Road, just before Carden Hill, has a MASSIVE pothole. The council response has been to stick cones and a road sign in it! And yet oddly they have filled-in smaller ones on Carden Hill and Woodbourne Avenue.
I reported that very pothole well before it was this size, but a lack of urgency on filling a small pothole on a major bus and city arterial route has led to what will now be a huge job.
Blaming previous administrations is not a great defence and the councillor (Muten) is not doing his party any favours, and people are frankly quite fed up with this sort of thing…
Sorry, but all money and manpower is currently being spaffed away on the disaster in waiting , that is VG3.
At least, since cllr Muten loves to have photo opportunities of himself standing next to the works, gurning insanely, we know who to blame when it turns out to be an abject and expensive failure!
Councillor Muten is out of control and not fit to be in charge of city transport, which is the worst it’s ever been under his watch.
Funding for VG3 does not influence the funding available for pothole repairs as it is ringfenced.
Is it ok to make a comment without being pulled up for mistakes on this site or point scoring like spoilt children to show of who is perfectly grammatical correct,,this council is a bunch of beggars,it has no compunction in asking the government for funding for cycle lanes, who,seem to have no pot holes for there journeys, the roads are paid for by taxes paid by us,,in part ,the motorists, and freight services, council tax is also taken and is included towards the budget of running the city,but headstrong ,blind ,and deaf councillors prefer to ignore the immediate problems of the city,and force through one unnecessary disaster after another there ought to be mandatory legislation that makes keeping city,s maintained for all ,tourists, and most of all local people, in this case since the almagamation of the two boroughs, it seems to have been the worst decision taken,as an ex- worker from both ,boroughs,they were brilliant, in all aspects of maintenance for this once beautiful place that I have lived and worked since moving here from London 1960,now its like the apocalypse of the centuries
Spelling and grammar certainly don’t bother me, Sean; I’m always more interested in debating people’s thoughts.
In that spirit, cycle lanes are a specific grant for active travel that cannot be used for pothole repairs. To put it another way, if that cycle lane grant hadn’t been given, the same amount would still be available for road maintenance. I get the frustration, though, when you see a cycle lane, then a road.
There is legislation in place, called the Local Government Act, that ensures that the immediate problems of the city are addressed. It’s why there is a legal requirement to create a balanced budget, and why some services are not optional. Councillors are not allowed to ignore this obligation.
I think you have to consider that adult social care, amongst other services, has become a new obligation since Brighton Borough, and that takes up a huge majority of a local council’s budget. It makes the comparison dissimliar. If we were to split up into smaller boroughs again, you’d likely see Hove drown under its costs within 1-2 years, for example.
We’ll likely see a much more impactful push on roads come Labour’s devolution, because that unlocks a lot of additional funding and a regional strategy to ensure they stay maintained. At the very least, that’s where I would be pushing.
Benjamin, appreciate the explanation—but it’s interesting how it still circles back to what you’d be pushing for. Almost as if the rest of us are just here for context. Surely there’s room to consider a broader range of views, not just your preferred direction?
Yes, it’s called a comment section. 🤦
Meanwhile Vernon terrace up to the 7 dials roundabout is currently closed again for the third time in around 6 weeks. WHO is in charge of these roadworks and why weren’t the gas main repairs finished first time round???
Slightly inconvenient, I’m sure. Well, the council don’t have control over the gas repairs, so if it needs to be dug up, it has to be dug up.
The council’s Pratt GPT strikes again to tell you why you are wrong and need to rethink your life choices if you have any criticism of the council. Benjy – to paraphrase a very smart woman – “If you believe free speech is for you but not your political opponents, you’re illiberal.
If no contrary evidence could change your beliefs, you’re a fundamentalist.
If you believe the state should punish those with contrary views, you’re a totalitarian. You dear boy are the personification of all 3… “ there are many sets of data from extensive research that confirms all 3…”
Unfortunately, if gas lines need to be repaired, they need to be repaired. There’s nothing difficult about this concept, and it certainly has nothing to do with politics. Unfortunately, what you have just stated is a straw man, I’m afraid.
If you have something of substance to say beyond low-level basic insults, happy to consider it.
Ah right, “slightly inconvenient” — I suppose repeated road closures every couple of weeks are just a minor hiccup then. And of course, no one could possibly coordinate works or get it right the first time… just one of those things we should all quietly accept, I guess.
Benjy hasn’t replied yet… but he will… incoming in T minus xx hours some vacuous nonsense about strawmans… lots of data to suggest… aktshually how you should be thinking about it (whatever narrative he has now deflected to…) Benjamin is a one man self-appointed stasi council spokesman ever present here to leap on any thought crimes and bore you into submission. You’re simply wrong James to think there is anything that could be improved in the council’s management of, well, anything really.
Search for “Worthing Pothole Graffiti”, that’s what we need more of in Brighton & Hove!