DARLINGTON residents are being urged to share their views on the state of the borough’s roads to help the council secure future government funding.

Darlington Borough Council is one of 106 local authorities to sign up to a standardised survey that will ask residents views on their local highways and transport services – from the condition of roads and footpaths to the quality of cycling facilities.

Their answers will be compared with views across the country thanks to the National Highways and Transport Public Satisfaction survey.

Participating in the survey will maximise the amount of money local councils receive for highway maintenance from the government and provides an understanding of what people’s local priorities are to help inform decisions.

Councillor Nick Wallis, Darlington Council’s cabinet member for leisure and the local environment said: “There are clear benefits to conducting a public survey in this way.

“Ultimately, participation helps us get the most money possible for road maintenance under the government’s new funding regime.

“It seeks the views of the public to help inform decisions and helps identify areas of best practice and spot national, regional and local trends.”

Dave Winstanley, the council’s assistant director of transport and capital projects, added: “In 2015 the public responses identified that road safety was perceived as very good and this is supported by low casualty figures and our excellent cycle and pedestrian training programmes.

“The evidence from the survey helps us prioritise and develop programmes to get the most from the money we have available.”

The questionnaire will be sent to a minimum of at least 3,300 of Darlington’s residents from June 27.