County Surveyors' Society

Issues: transport

'Gridlock gloom' is public view of our roads

Each year, CSS undertakes detailed research into transport in Britain, providing a wealth of insights into public attitudes and perceptions. As well as highlighting attitudes across gender, age and social classes, the survey also provides a regional perspective with varying attitudes across Wales, Scotland and the English regions.

Mike Jackson

“Many people want greater investment in reducing public transport costs, road and pavement maintenance, improving road safety, improving bus services and tackling congestion. There is wide opposition to congestiong charging outside the capital. We need a fundamental reassessment of the direction of transport policy, as identified in the recently released CSS report, Travel Is Good. ”

Mike Jackson
Chair
CSS Finance Committee

What has the latest survey found?

The research aims to provide thorough, reliable information on local public attitudes to transport infrastructure in order to highlight funding and investment priorities.

The survey, conducted by Ipsos MORI, shows little change in public priorities and finds that most people across Britain are gloomy about the prospects of freeing up gridlocked roads, with few (14 per cent) expecting any real improvement in their local area over the next five years.

Key outcomes from the 2007 survey include:

Satisfaction with the road network and road maintenance remains at 46 per cent, which followed significant increases in earlier surveys.
Satisfaction with the road system has increased slightly to 52 per cent, however those experiencing congestion within five miles of home are least likely to be satisfied.
Priorities for any future Government investment should be reducing the cost of public transport, and road and pavement maintenance, although building new roads in congestion 'hot spots' is in fifth place.