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Road users fed up with poor conditions - survey

PA Media Two large potholes on a road, which has cars being driven on it in the background.PA Media
The survey analysed travel habits in the East of England

The majority of people were dissatisfied with the condition of the roads where they live, a study analysing transport habits found.

Almost 4,000 residents across Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex were surveyed by Transport East in spring 2024 about how they travel.

The results showed 80% of people were not happy with the roads, with almost half the respondents also upset about the cost of rail travel.

Data is due to be shared with local authorities and used to create stronger travel strategies for the East of England.

Researchers hoped it would help to explain why people used certain modes of transport and what prevented them using other methods.

Carried out in spring, the survey showed:

  • Walking was the most used mode of transport
  • 23% used the bus, making it the most popular mode of public transport
  • 63% chose to drive because it was "convenient"
  • Despite 44% of respondents owning a bicycle, only 9% used one on a weekly basis
  • 48% of non-train users said ticket prices were the top barrier for not using rail services
  • 68% think it is important to make sustainable travel choices, yet only 33% say they do
Lewis Adams/BBC Will Quince wearing a white unbuttoned shirt on a sunny day. He has light brown hair and is looking at the camera with a slight frown.Lewis Adams/BBC
Will Quince became the Transport East chairman after standing down as a Conservative MP in Colchester

Transport East chairman Will Quince said the figures offered a "valuable insight" into how people travelled in the East, as well as the challenges they faced.

"As a region that is increasingly critical to the nation's prosperity, it's important that everyone has access to transport options that support opportunity and economic growth, reduce carbon emissions, and improve quality of life," he said.

"This data provides unique evidence to help us and our partners across the region to make the case for future investment."

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