Public support for congestion charging has declined as more people have become tolerant to traffic jams, according to a new CSS (County Surveyors’ Society) survey.
The poll, conducted by Ipsos MORI, found that support for congestion charging outside London has fallen from 37% to 27% over the last five years. And while 45% perceive traffic jams to have got worse in their areas, those who consider local congestion a problem has dropped from 72% to 57%.
Mike Jackson, chair of the CSS finance committee, said: ‘[Congestion charging] represents a huge challenge for government at all levels and for politicians. Public opinion seems to be hardening against a flagship policy.’
But while Britons are still very much attached to their cars, perception of public transport has improved – 34% say local bus services have improved since 2003 and 19% believe facilities for pedestrian and cyclists have improved.
‘While it is certainly encouraging that public transport is becoming more attractive as an alternative, there are also clear signal that people will only switch to buses or rail if the cost is reduced,’ Mr Jackson said.
A third of respondents think road maintenance has worsened over last five years, with the figure rising to 53% in the Southeast.
‘It is among the public’s top transport and highways priorities, but there is also an acceptance in the depths of the current recession of the inevitable competition for reduced public funds such as “people services” like health and education are given higher priority,’ he added.
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