NEW research by Cumbria County Council will ask thousands of Cumbrian residents for their views on transport issues in the county such as bus and train travel and the condition of the roads.

The 15-minute survey being sent to the 2,800 members of the Community Voice panel includes questions about what people consider to be the most important highways issues and how useful they find bus and rail services in the county.

Any member of the public can have their say on roads and transport by completing the survey on-line at www.cumbria.gov.uk and following the Roads and Transport Survey links from the home page.

Cumbria County Council spends tens of millions of pounds on the county's roads each year and subsidises bus services to the tune of £3m a year and the survey findings will be used to shape transport policy in the future.

Coun Jack Richardson, cabinet spokesman for transport and infrastructure, said: "This is an important piece of research. The condition of the roads and the availability of public transport are high up on residents list of key concerns.

The answers we get from everyone taking part will help us to understand how we are performing at the moment and help us set our priorities in the future.

"We are also trying to find out what people think of the council's website as this is fast becoming one of the most important ways the county communicates with people."

The Roads and Transport Survey will be posted to Community Voice members this month. The deadline for completion is November 7.

Findings will be made available to Cumbrian bus and train operators in the New Year when they will also be published on the county website.