M42 named England’s worst motorway – while the M40 ranks top
The M42 motorway has been dubbed England’s worst motorway, as per the Strategic Roads User Survey, with 44% of motorists finding it unsatisfactory. One driver complained about “road works, potholes and delays” making it a terrible road to drive on. National Highways, responsible for the strategic route network, has announced night closures from Monday to Friday next week to work on overhead gantries between junctions 5 and 6. This closure aims to address some of the issues on the much-maligned motorway.
In the same survey, the M62 across the Pennines was rated as the second-worst motorway, with 40% of users expressing dissatisfaction. Following closely behind was the M25, London’s orbital motorway, with a 33% dissatisfaction rating. On the contrary, the M40, stretching from London via Oxford to Birmingham, emerged as the nation’s favourite motorway, with only 21% of users reporting unhappiness with the road.
Overall, the survey revealed a rise in dissatisfaction among commuters, with average motorway speeds falling to 57mph – the lowest on record. Transport Focus, the watchdog behind the survey, gathered feedback from over 9,000 motorists regarding road surface, journey times, road works management, and overall safety. Chief executive Alex Robertson attributed the M42’s poor performance to renovation works around Birmingham Airport and mentioned the impact of disruption related to the HS2 rail project.
Improvements have been noted in some areas, such as deploying traffic officers on key A roads in southwest England to assist in clearing breakdowns promptly. Robertson emphasised the importance of clear communication ahead of planned road works to allow drivers to plan their journeys accordingly. Among non-motorway major roads, the A12 between London, Colchester, and Ipswich was rated the worst, with 45% of users dissatisfied.
As the survey coincides with the 100-year anniversary of the world’s first motorway opening in Italy, National Highways reiterated their commitment to maintaining and investing in roads. A spokesperson highlighted that over 96% of roads are in good condition, with ongoing improvements aimed at providing motorists with shorter and more reliable journeys.
In conclusion, the survey sheds light on the varying satisfaction levels among drivers using different motorways and major roads in England. As infrastructure and maintenance play crucial roles in ensuring smooth and safe journeys, initiatives to address the concerns raised by motorists are imperative for enhancing the overall driving experience across the country.