The National Highways recently revealed that 96% of the road network in England is in good condition, despite ongoing issues with some motorways causing frustration among drivers. In a survey conducted by Transport Focus, over 9,000 road users shared their opinions on the most troublesome motorways in the country.
One motorway that received a lot of criticism from drivers is the M42, which connects Birmingham, Nottingham, Solihull, Tamworth, and Redditch. Drivers complained about roadworks, potholes, and delays on this particular stretch of road, leading to a low satisfaction score of 56%. Other motorways that made it to the bottom five in terms of satisfaction were the M62, M25, M11, and M1.
On the other end of the spectrum, the M40 was named as England’s most popular motorway with a satisfaction score of 79%. This motorway, connecting London and Birmingham, received high praise from drivers for its overall condition and journey experience.
While some motorways performed well in the survey, overall satisfaction with recent journeys on motorways or major A-roads saw a slight decrease from 73% to 71%. This decline in satisfaction can be attributed to issues such as road surface quality and journey times, which have been a cause of concern for drivers.
Alex Robertson, the chief executive of Transport Focus, emphasized the importance of maintaining and improving existing roads rather than focusing solely on building new ones. He highlighted the need for National Highways to address issues related to road surface quality and journey times to ensure safe and smooth travel experiences for motorists.
In addition to the survey results, official figures from the Department for Transport revealed that delays on England’s motorway networks have reached record levels. Drivers experienced average hold-ups of 11.0 seconds per vehicle per mile, the longest time recorded since data collection began in 2016.
Despite these challenges, National Highways remains committed to investing in road maintenance and improvements to enhance the overall driving experience for road users. With over 96% of roads in good condition, the focus is on delivering shorter and more reliable journeys for motorists.
As traffic levels on motorways and major A-roads continue to grow, addressing issues such as delays, road surface quality, and journey times will be crucial for National Highways to meet the needs and expectations of drivers across England. By prioritizing road maintenance and investing in long-term improvements, the aim is to create a safer and more efficient road network for all road users.