Solving pothole crisis should be top priority for new government
96% demand UK roads to be in better condition, shows August’s Startline Used Car Tracker
Also, 92% want fairer fuel prices, 91% lower insurance costs and 85% better public transport
However, only a fraction willing to pay more taxes to see this happen
Almost all motorists (96%) say solving the potholes crisis should be the number one priority for the new Labour government, according to new research.
August’s Startline Used Car Tracker also shows that 92% would like to see fairer fuel prices, 91% lower insurance costs, 85% better public transport and 81% more road building to ease congestion.
There is also interest in electrification, with 79% wanting more electric car chargers and 76% saying the new administration should provide more help to transfer into an electric car.
Paul Burgess, CEO at Startline Motor Finance, said: “It’s perhaps unsurprising that sorting out the condition of our roads is such a concern. Potholes are not just an everyday nuisance for drivers but also underline a sense that the country’s infrastructure is crumbling.
“Motorists also clearly desire help from the new government with rising costs such as fuel and insurance, while additionally wanting to see better public transport and help with the transition into an electric car. It’s a very long list of demands.
“The challenge here for the new prime minister is exactly the same as in every other area of government – there is a lot that people would like to see done but very limited amounts of money available to achieve it.”
The Startline Used Car Tracker also asked motorists which improvements they would be willing to pay more tax to see – with public transport coming top at 20%.
Paul added: “After years of rising costs, family budgets remain under huge pressure, so it is understandable that people are not keen on the idea of being charged more tax. For example, just 14% would be happy to pay more taxes to see the potholes problem solved.
“However, it is perhaps of some significance that the top area where people would be happiest to pay more is public transport. They may be increasingly looking to trains and buses as an alternative to the car and want to see better options available.”