Life in Lancashire Wave 4

New Search

Purpose This survey focuses on issues relating to transport and roads, and examines resident priorities for social services.
Subject Road and pavement maintenance and repairs
Priorities for social care services
Commissioned by Corporate Communications Group
Geographic area All of Lancashire
Method Questionnaire - postal
Consultation with Life in Lancashire panel
Date 28/02/2002 - 28/03/2002
Undertaken by RBA Research Ltd

Results

Number in sample 1598
Number of responses 933
Response rate 58%
Key findings Cars are the main form of transport for panel members. Improving public transport and community transport services is the aspect where the highest proportion of panel members feel there has been some improvement in the past 12 months. Almost one in four have also noted improvements in reducing the number of road accidents and effective management of the road and transport infrastructure. Least improvement has been seen in giving people wider choice through more affordable transport. Greater use of CCTV cameras on buses and at bus stops, and more frequent or reliable bus services emerge as measures which panel members feel would be most effective to increase confidence when travelling. The measure that stands out as offering the greatest potential to reduce traffic in urban areas is working with schools and parents to reduce the number of children travelling to school by car.

Key measures suggested for increasing road safety are traffic calming measures (eg speed bumps, mini-roundabouts) and better signs, road markings and traffic signals. Improved road signs/traffic signals also emerge as the most frequently mentioned measure to tackle traffic congestion, along with better use of buses/bus lanes/park and ride. Regular buses/less waiting time, better maintained buses and
cheaper fares are also requested as measures to improve bus services.

Improving access to services, e.g. making it easier to contact someone in Social Services is viewed as the most important aspect to focus on in the next 12 months. Investing in more foster parents so that looked after children can live in ordinary families in the community is thought to be the best initiative overall. Over nine out of ten also support the initiative to focus more on helping people with physical disabilities learn/regain skills to give them a better chance of living and working more independently.
Outcomes Social services

Lancashire County Council has looked at how services are provided to vulnerable people and people with disabilities. These are services that are provided directly from the County Council and through working with other agencies such as Primary Care Trusts.

Your views have helped this process by giving us a broader view of disabilities, and not just from people who use the service. You thought that finding employment was the major problem faced by disabled people. We are anxious to support disabled people to be more independent and getting employment is a step towards this goal.

Project document(s)

Report(s)

Contact information

For more information about this research contact:

Melissa Sherliker
01772 535019

Email: haveyoursay@lancashire.gov.uk

Related information

Life in Lancashire members' website:
http://www.lancashire.gov.uk/corporate/lil/