Drivers vote M42 the worst motorway in England

The Strategic Roads User Survey asked more than 9,000 drivers about their last journey on a motorway or major ‘A’ road managed by National Highways.

They rated the M42 as the worst motorway in England after it scored 56% for overall satisfaction from road users. This follows a significant period of roadworks around Birmingham airport. One of those dissatisfied said: “Roadworks, potholes and delays. Terrible road to drive on.”

The highest rated motorway by road users was the M40, despite its overall satisfaction score of 79% falling from the 82% scored last year. The top motorway in 2023, the M5, fell from 82% to 77%.

The A19 was rated the best ‘A’ road in England with the highest overall satisfaction at 85%. The A12 received the lowest overall satisfaction rating from road users (55%), followed by the A27 (63%).

Alex Robertson, chief executive of Transport Focus, said: “Drivers tell us that the maintenance of motorways and major roads - how most of us get around the country - is more important to them than building new roads.

“With road user perceptions of road surface quality deteriorating since 2022 and declining satisfaction with journey times, National Highways must continue to focus on delivering safe, smooth journeys.

“We’re committed to working with the Government and National Highways to help them to deliver on road users’ top priorities - improved journey times and satisfaction with surface quality. We have a robust programme of improvements which will provide long term benefits for motorists, including shorter and more reliable journeys.”

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