Cllr highlights pothole concern after county re-election

Cllr David Drew held the division for the Conservatives at the election held on Friday, May 8, securing another term representing the largely rural area.

Speaking after the result, Cllr Drew said many of the issues raised on the doorstep related to highways, particularly potholes, once residents understood the role of the county council.

He said: "Test Valley Central is almost exclusively rural, with village communities, pubs and local groups at its heart. The issues on the doorstep, once people understood it was a county council election, were mainly around roads and in particular potholes.

"I was able to reassure residents that as the weather improves and conditions dry out, more repairs are being carried out than are being reported, which is encouraging.

"This election was different in that I met a number of people who were unhappy and chose to use their vote as a protest. Some told me directly they would be voting Reform as a protest, even though they did not expect it to change anything locally."

Cllr Drew said he was aware his vote share might fall but remained optimistic due to his visibility in the community.

"I spend a lot of time attending parish council meetings and speaking with residents, and I think people appreciate having someone they know representing them. This election, for me, was about what I could do for residents and their families, and I’m delighted to be able to continue that work."

He added that highways, devolution and local government reorganisation would be key priorities moving forward.

Cllr Drew secured 3,141 votes, ahead of Reform UK candidate Linda Sheffield with 1,493 votes and Liberal Democrat Bud Pollard with 1,203. Green Party candidate Connor Shaw received 696 votes, while Labour’s Tessa Valentine polled 238.

Turnout in Test Valley Central was 46.7 per cent.

The result marks a hold for the Conservatives in the division.