What are Britain's biggest eyesores?

09:06 08 October 2009

One thing is certain in life, Brits love to moan and, according to a new study, there is a lot for us to moan about.

From roadworks to wheelie bins, the population has had its say on what makes Britain a less attractive place to live, but it is the intoxicated youth that really get our goat.

Tallying a total of 85% of the 1,000 adults who took part in the study, drunken youths hanging around parks and street corners was named as a prime reason for annoyance in Britain.

Other antisocial behaviour likely to irritate and making it into second and third place is the sight of graffiti (69%) and never-ending roadworks (58%).

People playing car stereos at excessive volumes was highly aggravating also, in fourth place (56%), closely followed by people smoking outside pubs and offices (54%).

So-called "high street chuggers" (abbreviated from charity muggers) – pushy charity workers who ambush you in the street for money, commuters shouting down their mobile phones and people driving 4x4s around town were named reasons making modern Britain as less appealing place to live.

The fashion adage of less is more was disapproved of when it came to exposing too much flesh, and individuals showing tattoos were also in the top 10 list. Men were more likely to dislike tattoos, while women were most opposed to seeing acres of exposed flesh.

The poll conducted by consumer researchers Online Opinions found that those under 30 years old were most offended by homeless people, while the 45-59 age group was fed up with the ever-looming surveillance society culture and the infinite amount of CCTV cameras.

In recent news, Britain fell off the bottom of the United Nations list of the most desirable countries to live, dropping to No 21. The UK was ranked in 16th position only two years ago, but now countries such as Belgium, Italy and New Zealand are viewed as the most appealing places to settle down.

Britain's new found position outside the Top 20 is only a few places above the likes of Slovenia and Andorra according to the UN Development Programme data.

20 things that make Britain less attractive:

Drunken youths (85%)

Graffiti (69%)

Roadworks (58%)

Playing car stereos at full volume (56%)

Smokers outside pubs/offices (54%)

High street "chuggers" (47%)

Too much exposed flesh (40%)

Homeless people (35%)

4x4s in town (34%)

People with tattoos (28%)

Parking restrictions (28%)

Wheelie bins (26%)

CCTV cameras (26%)

Ad hoardings (24%)

Commuters on mobiles (21%)

Buskers (16%)

Modern architecture (15%)

Golf sale placard holders (13%)

Fluorescent vests (9%)

Coffee shops (3%)