Crime fails to halt good life in South-East

Residents of the South-East have a high quality of life but are concerned about crime, congestion and house prices, a poll reveals.

They are attracted by low unemployment, the booming economy, the relaxed lifestyle and proximity to London.

But their concerns have caused the satisfaction rating to fall five percentage points in the past two years.

The findings are from a Mori poll of 1,809 residents in the proposed South-East England Regional Assembly area. This excludes London and the northern Home Counties but takes in nine counties or unitary areas, from Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire to Kent.

It finds Hampshire is the most popular place to live, with 93 per cent of residents saying they are satisfied, while Kent came bottom - although it still recorded 80 per cent satisfaction.

High house prices are of particular concern in West Sussex, Oxfordshire and Surrey. There was also considerable concern about the lack of affordable homes.

More than one in four respondents draw attention to high house prices and the "poor" road network. Residents of East and West Sussex and Hampshire are most likely to complain about the roads.

Other negative aspects of living in the South-East are "nothing for teenagers to do" and poor health services.

But, in a blow to the Government's plans to create a tranche of assemblies across England, 83 per cent admit they know little or nothing about the South-East England Regional Assembly.

Asked whether they would vote in a referendum to grant it official status and more powers, only 51 per cent were in favour. Many feared adding to bureaucracy, wasting money and putting further pressure on council tax bills - already the highest in the country.

Chairman Nick Skellett said: "South-East citizens rate their quality of life as very positive."