A former senior director of Shoalhaven Council who is planning to stand at the local government elections in September says he is appalled at the deterioration of locals roads since he left the city's employment.

John Wells spent more than two decades at council and  was number three in the executive  pecking order,  the director of city services, when he retired four years ago.

Mr Wells will be standing for Ward One at the September 8 poll, and announced yesterday he would be a part of the Jo Gash team.

He says money is not the issue, but believes council needs to take a really hard look at the way in which it  builds and maintains its roads.

Mr Wells says he has no doubt the condition of roads will be the number one issue at the September election.