The South East’s transport system is holding our communities back

Last week, I led a Parliamentary debate in Westminster Hall on transport in the South East.

It was an opportunity to impress upon the Minister the experience of constituents day-in, day-out, when navigating a transport system that is no longer fit for purpose and is holding communities back.

Across the South East, transport disruption is not just an occasional inconvenience. It is a daily reality. Whether it is the congested roads, unreliable rail services or dwindling bus provision, people are paying more for a system that continues to deliver less. This frustration comes up time and again on the doorstep, because transport is not an abstract policy issue – it shapes how people get to work, access services, care for loved ones and participate in local life.

The A27 is one of the busiest trunk roads in the country, and as the main arterial route along the south coast, it is essential to the economic and social life of our region. Yet long-standing capacity issues mean it regularly grinds to a halt, with traffic spilling into surrounding villages and turning quiet residential roads into congestion hotspots.

One particularly acute pressure point is the Fishbourne Roundabout. Anyone who uses it knows how dangerous and stressful it can be. National Highways have now agreed to fund a study into this junction, with a report due in the spring. When that report publishes, I will be pressing the Government to attach funding to measures that could improve the safety of the roundabout. Without intervention, I fear it is only a matter of time before there is a serious accident. Having experienced near-misses myself on that roundabout, we cannot allow known risks like this to linger indefinitely while communities bear the consequences.

The wider issue is that necessary upgrades to the A27 have been discussed for decades, with very little to show for it. During the debate, I pressed the Roads Minister for a concrete commitment that the A27 will be treated as a priority in the next Roads Investment Scheme.

Unfortunately, rail services are no better. Chichester is not endowed with fast rail connections, yet passengers are asked to pay eye-watering prices. A season ticket to London now costs close to £8,000. For that price, people should expect reliability. Instead, last year one in five Southern Rail trains arrived in Chichester late. That is simply not acceptable, particularly for commuters who rely on rail to get to work on time.

The Liberal Democrats have long called for a freeze in rail fares, so we welcomed the government’s decision to do so last year. But affordability alone will not fix a network plagued by poor reliability and outdated infrastructure. Passengers need to see investment in modernisation, accountability for operators, and a genuine focus on punctuality and performance.

Bus services also play a vital role in the transport mix, especially for those without access to a car or those who want to avoid contributing to congestion. In many rural and semi-rural communities, buses are a lifeline. That is why the increase in the bus fare cap from £2 to £3 has been so concerning. For some, that change is the difference between choosing public transport and being priced out altogether.

If the government expects the South East to sustain high levels of housing and economic development, it must match those ambitions with investment in transport infrastructure. Growth cannot be built on gridlocked roads, unreliable trains and shrinking bus networks. Communities deserve a transport system that supports opportunity rather than restricting it.

My message to ministers is simple: listen to the lived experience of residents across the South East, and act. Investment in transport is not a luxury. It is a prerequisite for a thriving, connected and fair region. I will continue to press this case in Parliament, and I implore the government to take action, because our communities cannot afford to wait any longer.