Highways satisfaction survey

This year's National Highways and Transport Public Satisfaction survey will ask questions on everything from the condition of roads and footpaths to the quality of city cycling routes, and answers will be compared with the views of other members of the public across England and Scotland.

Sunderland City Council is one of 111 local authorities signed up to a standardised survey. It asks members of the public exactly the same questions regardless of location, to gain an understanding of wider transport issues.

The survey is now in its 14th year. It is the largest collaboration between local authorities offering the opportunity to compare results, share in best practice and identify further opportunities to work together in the future.

The questionnaire will be sent to a minimum random sample of at least 3,300 of Sunderland residents from Monday 7 June, followed by a reminder. Local and national results will be published in October this year.

Since the survey is based on a sample, residents that receive a copy are being urged to take part. Last year, 785 people completed the survey in Sunderland, including 105 who completed it online.

Last year, the overall satisfaction rate in Sunderland was 55 per cent, the highest satisfaction among north east councils who took part in the survey.

Residents who receive the questionnaire can opt to complete the survey online if they prefer. a short URL link will be printed on the front of the questionnaire and they will be required to enter a code before completing the questionnaire.

The results will enable us to find out what people in Sunderland think about these important services. This will provide one of several ways Sunderland City Council can assess how it is performing. It gives the public an opportunity to say which services they think the council should prioritise and improve.

Cllr Kevin Johnston, the City Council's portfolio holder for Dynamic City, said: "As a listening council, we use the National Highways and Transport Public Satisfaction survey to understand what highways issues are a priority for Sunderland's residents.

"This council also recognises the importance of continued investment in our transport and highways networks, and we can use the results of this survey as a guide when looking to the Government for grants.

"It helps us to identify areas of best practice and spot national, regional and local trends, better understand customer views, and work to deliver the most satisfactory and efficient outcomes for local residents."

Earlier this year the City Council approved highways maintenance for more than 240 road and footpath projects over the next 12 months, with more than £5m allocated for these projects in the council's 2021/22 capital spending budget.

Also currently underway in Sunderland is the £70.8m construction work on the third phase of the Sunderland Strategic Transport Corridor (SSTC3). This is the dual carriageway from the southern approach road of the Northern Spire running through Pallion, Deptford and into the city centre.