residents are being asked for their views on Hampshire County Council’s range of highways and transport services – from the condition of roads and footpaths to the efficiency of street lights.

Their answers will be compared with the views of other members of the public across England and Scotland – through the National Highways and Transport Public Satisfaction survey.

Rob Humby, executive member for environment and transport at the county council, said: “Good highways and transport infrastructure is a key priority for us.

“We know how important it is for Hampshire’s economic prosperity and for the people who live and work here to have a safe and reliable transport network. This survey provides us with a sound benchmark as to how we’re doing, and we appreciate the time taken by Hampshire residents to complete it, and let us know what they think.

“Hampshire’s strategic location in the south, with an airport, two ports, and connections to major road and rail connections to London and the rest of the country, places particular importance on transport infrastructure, and it is crucial these vital network links are managed well.

?“The survey results will help inform the way we carry out our duties to maintain and improve transport across the county, and show us which aspects of the service residents particularly value, and in which areas they would like to see improvements.”

Hampshire County Council is one of 106 local authorities to sign up to a standardised survey that will ask members of the public exactly the same questions, wherever they live.

The survey, which is being run for the ninth year 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 is being sent to a minimum random sample of at least 3,300 residents, followed by a reminder, with local and national results to be published in mid-October 2016.

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

• West Sussex County Council’s Better Roads Programme has delivered better than expected results.

The council says statistics released in June show only 13 per cent of rural and residential roads are now in need of repair, compared to 23 per cent back in 2013.

Only three per cent of A roads and three per cent of B and C roads now need maintenance, compared to seven per cent and then per cent respectively in 2014. The results will be published by the Department of Transport in March 2017.

The Better Roads programme, which ran from 2014-16, was the largest investment made to the road network for years.

A total of £30million was taken from council reserves to be spent on improving rural and residential roads around the county.

Over half of West Sussex’s roads are rural or in residential areas.

Under the Better Roads Programme, roads that suffered the greatest deterioration were prioritised first.

The county council says it will save £1.2 million in maintenance costs every year because of the improvements.