Transport is key to better life in towns

Those polled put public transport, road links and parking ahead of the environment, safety and health as the first things they would improve and change if they ran a big city.

Nearly 60 per cent of respondents cited traffic and transport as their number one city priority, with the general environment and cleanliness seen as the next most important thing.

Based on responses from hundreds of urban professionals from the UK and around the world, the survey came in a report prepared for the Philips company by the Economist Intelligence Unit.

The report also said:More than half of those polled would pay more, in tax or other ways, to get better roads and public transport.

Citizens are happy now but worry about the future strain on public services.

Almost 60 per cent reckon life in their cities is getting better,

but older respondents are more likely to say life is getting tougher. Many people over the age of 60 would prefer to move out of the city.

Civic authorities need to look to their own inhabitants to develop infrastructure innovation.