The condition of highways is the public’s top transport priority – and one that is not being met, according to a new study.
The National Highways & Transport Network (NHT) survey revealed that three-fifths of people were unsatisfied with the conditions of roads, despite it being deemed the single most important issue by 71% of those polled.
The survey – carried out by Ipsos MORI – highlighted congestion as a major problem, with 56.5% of respondents concluding that most of it was caused by the school run. More than one-third (38%) said more convenient public transport services would most likely deter them from using private cars, while 31% said they wanted to see cleaner, safer buses.
‘The results showed that the public in the North East recorded the highest rate of satisfaction, while those in the South East were most dissatisfied,’ according to the NHT. However, less than 3% said car clubs would entice them out of cars, while 38% of people admitted to having a bus pass.
Earlier this year, Transport for London announced £1m investment to support the growth of car clubs across the capital, as mayor Boris Johnson dubbed them a fantastic way to cut motoring costs while reducing CO2 in the city.
A number of councils nationwide have since set up car club schemes as part of their sustainable transport measures. More than half the English highways authorities are now reviewing the results of the study, and councils have expressed a strong will to share ideas of best practice in order to improve performances.
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