HAMPSHIRE’S highway chiefs have been voted the best in the country following a national survey.

The county council came out on top of the nationwide study, which asked residents to rate their satisfaction with local highway maintenance services.

Hampshire County Council saw off competition from scores of other authorities to claim the number one spot – and was also voted the best in the country in terms of residents’ satisfaction with street lighting and highway enforcement.

Civic chiefs also recorded impressive scores for its winter maintenance and overall condition of the highways in the National Highways and Transport (NHT) Public Satisfaction Survey 2014.

This is the seventh year that the study has been carried out, with residents across the UK being asked for their views on the performance of 78 local authorities in England, Scotland and Wales.

The council’s economy, transport and environment boss, Cllr Seán Woodward, said: “Highways maintenance is a priority for us as good and safe infrastructure is vital for the continuing prosperity and the future economic success of Hampshire.

Hampshire’s roads suffered badly from last winter’s floods and I’m pleased to see that the extra effort we have put into repairing the roads has been reflected in this survey.

“We have done a great deal of work jetting gullies and clearing soakaways since last winter’s intense and excessive rainfall.

I hope this preparation will stand us in good stead for the winter and reflect in resident’s satisfaction in the future.”