The data comes from Transport Focus’ latest Strategic Roads User Survey, in which motorists were asked for their opinion on motorways and A roads in England.
The M40 had the highest overall satisfaction score of 79%, followed by the A14 and A3 on 78%.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, the roads with the worst satisfaction scores were the A1 (57%), A12 (58%) and the M6 (59%).
Commenting on the findings of the survey, Anthony Smith, chief executive of the Transport Focus, said:
“England’s motorways and major ‘A’ roads are its arteries, allowing people and goods to be moved around efficiently. These results show that what drivers experience varies from road to road, with journey time and how busy it is being key to journey satisfaction. As the summer getaway begins, this survey shows the importance of National Highways striving to minimise hold ups and providing good information so drivers know what to expect if it will be busy. And it points to the ongoing need to focus on delivering roadworks with the least disruption possible, as well as keeping road surfaces in good condition.”
According to Transport Focus, other key findings of the survey are as follows:
- overall, 69% of road users were satisfied with their last journey using a motorway or major ‘A’ road managed by National Highways
- 67% of road users were satisfied with the time their journey took
- the management of roadworks is the lowest performing area, just 48% of those surveyed were satisfied
Transport Focus notes that one driver commenting on the M40 said: “It’s the quietest and easiest motorway I use”. Another added: “M40 a nice wide motorway with rarely too much traffic problems.”
The watchdog also says that road users praised the new section of the A14 between Cambridge and Huntingdon saying, “nice new road, smooth, no potholes, fast, easy traffic.”
As for the A1 one driver stated: “far too many road works without any work taking place”, while another said: “traffic very, very slow moving. As always at this time on any weekday”.
On the M6, which also fared badly, many road users commented on not feeling safe on smart motorway sections and the long stretches of reduced speed limit due to roadworks. One driver said: “the amount of roadworks and lane closers with ZERO work activity is beyond sense”. Another said: “the inside lane of the M6 (in both directions) are rutted”.
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