Local transport challenges

Respondents were asked what they thought were the main transport-related challenges facing their local area (it was not specified whether this was a trunk road or non-trunk road area).

Two-thirds (64%) of respondents identified poor road conditions or potholes as the primary issue in their local area. Around a third of respondents mentioned a lack of investment or upgrades, and congestion on roads (38% and 37% respectively) (Figure 9.1).

As shown in Figure 9.2, these priorities remained largely unchanged since 2019, although, compared to 2024 respondents were less likely to mention train delays or unreliable rail services in 2025 (13%, compared to 18% in 2024).

Respondents in the South East were more likely than average to mention congestion on roads (50%, compared to 37% overall), while those in the North West were more likely to mention preparing for or dealing with severe weather challenges (31%, compared to 19% overall). Respondents in the South West were more likely than average to mention poor bus services (26%, compared to 21% overall).

Older respondents (aged 65 and above) were more likely than average to mention poor road conditions or potholes (71%, compared to 64% overall), lack of investment or upgrades (45%, compared to 38% overall), and cost of road improvements or maintenance (44%, compared to 31% overall). Younger respondents (aged 18-34) were more likely than average to mention train delays or unreliable rail services (21%, compared to 13% overall) and lack of capacity on railways (12%, compared to 5% overall).