CSS Transport Audit 2001

Today Richard Wigginton, the President of CSS (the County Surveyors Society) announced the findings of their second annual survey into public perceptions of transport services. MORI undertook the survey on behalf of CSS and consulted 2,006 members of the public during September 2001, about public transport, roads rail and their local environment. The people interviewed included both car users and non-car users. Two-thirds had used the bus during the last year, and two-fifths the train.

The survey provides a wealth of insights into public attitudes and perceptions. As well as highlighting attitudes across gender, age and social classes, the CSS survey gives an additional dimension as it illustrates differences in views across Wales, Scotland and the English Regions.

The key message from the survey is that people want to see action on the ground.

The headline results emerging from the survey show:

• People feel that their local road system and road maintenance are getting worse, and
• That congestion is a problem for around nine in ten people (88%)
• People want to see better, more affordable public transport, but
• There is a lack of confidence in the deliverability of the 10 year Transport Plan

The proportion of the population very dissatisfied with their local road system increased from 11% to 17% between July 2000 and September 2001. Moreover, of those who are satisfied, most are only 'fairly' satisfied, with few people 'very' satisfied (42% compared with 4%).

The proportion dissatisfied with road maintenance has increased from 41% to 46% since last year. The proportion who are very dissatisfied varies significantly over the country from 30% in the West Midlands and 26% in Scotland down to only 10% in the NE Region and 12 % in the Eastern region.

Congestion on local roads, within five miles of where people live, is seen as a problem for nearly nine in ten (88%). Moreover, congestion is seen as a worsening across Britain, particularly in England, where more than half (53%) say this, compared with 42% in Scotland and 34% in Wales.

A large section of the public lack confidence about future delivery of improvements in transport. Nearly a quarter (23%) does not expect any improvements to public transport or the road system over the next four or five years.

The public would most like to see a reduction in the cost of public transport, but there is little expectation that it will become more affordable.

Improving bus services remains second overall in the public's priorities. Support for improving road safety and road pavement maintenance is also strong with one third of respondents including these in their choice.

Richard Wigginton said:

"This second MORI survey commissioned by CSS shows the key importance of transport in all our lives."

"Undoubtedly transport has risen up the political agenda and we are now seeing some additional Government funding but this has not yet brought about real on the ground improvements."

"CSS will continue these surveys to ensure a measure of progress in delivering the intentions of the ten year transport plan."

NOTES to News Editors

Richard Wigginton is President of CSS (formerly the County Surveyors Society) and Director of Environmental Services for Worcestershire County Council. He also sits on The Institution of Highways and Transportation Council and Executive and chairs its Procurement Board.

CSS - the County Surveyors Society represents the Directors of Strategic Planning, Transportation, Environment, Waste Management and Economic Development throughout the UK. Its members responsibilities cover more than half the population, 75% of the highways and 90% of the land area of the country. The CSS aims are to represent member's interests through the development and dissemination of best practice, responding to European and Central Government consultation and by promoting initiatives aimed at influencing Government policy. Work of the society is centred on a number of committees and working groups.

CSS is well placed to contribute to the debate about the need for new resources and where these should be targeted to deliver the government's transport vision for the future.

Technical details

• 2,006 interviews with adults aged 15+
• Conducted in-home, face- to- face between 6 - 11 September 2001 using CAPI (Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing)
• 195 sampling points throughout Great Britain
• Base all (2,006) unless otherwise stated
• Data are weighted to reflect the national population profile
• '*' denotes a finding of less than half a per cent but more than zero
• Where figures do not add up to 100% this is due to computer rounding or multiple answers

 

 Topline results

Q1 From this card how satisfied or dissatisfied would you say you are with the road system in this area?

Q2 And from this card how satisfied or dissatisfied would you say you are with road maintenance in this area?

Q3 During peak times, how much of a problem would you say road congestion is in the area 5 miles around where you live? Is it

Q4a Which of these aspects of transport do you think has improved in your local area over the last five years? Just read out the letters that apply. Q4b And which do you think has got worse in your local area over the past five years?

Q5 If the government were to invest extra money on transport, in which two or three of the following areas would you most like to see greater investment made? Just read out the letters that apply.

Q6 Which of these aspects of transport do you think will see a noticeable improvement in your local area over the next 4 or 5 years? Just read out the letters that apply.

Q7 And which of the following modes of transport have you used in the last twelve months?

* In 2000, the question wording was, 'have you used either buses or trains at all in the last twelve months?'