UK Public Attitudes to Urban Traffic Problems and Possible Countermeasures: A Poll of Polls

Urban traffic congestion and the environmental and safety impacts of traffic now represent key political issues in many countries, and disputes over how they should be tackled have precipitated changes in national and local governments. Despite the rhetoric, however, few cities have yet taken firm action to control traffic. This inaction does not reflect a lack of suitable techniques and technologies so much as a concern over the degree of public support, either for the consequences of catering for the car (for example, housing demolition) or of restraining it. Twelve recent opinion surveys in the United Kingdom on public awareness of traffic-related problems and support for different solutions are examined. Despite differences in methodology, the overall findings are consistent and clear. These are presented and assessed, and the implications for urban transport policy are discussed.