In a recent survey, the M42 has been declared the most unsatisfactory motorway in England, primarily due to excessive roadworks and arbitrary speed limits.
- Residents and motorists express frustration over poor road quality and unpredictable traffic management.
- The M42 scored a mere 56% in overall satisfaction among drivers surveyed by Transport Focus, the lowest for any motorway in the country.
- Meanwhile, the M40 was lauded as the best motorway, boasting a 79% satisfaction rate, while the A19 topped the best roads list with an 85% rating.
- The survey highlights growing discontent with road conditions, as overall satisfaction among motorists has fallen to 71% from last year’s 73%.
The M42 has been voted the worst motorway in England, a title it earned due to ongoing roadworks and inconsistent speed limits. Motorists have voiced their dissatisfaction, particularly criticising the unpredictable speed management that seems detached from actual traffic conditions. One driver noted, ‘Variable speed limits do not always reflect the traffic conditions. Directed to reduce speed for no apparent reason.’ This reflects a broader sentiment among road users who find the maintenance of highways increasingly problematic.
This 40-mile stretch, extending from Bromsgrove in Worcestershire to just southwest of Ashby-de-la-Zouch in Leicestershire, has received criticism due to poor road quality and extensive maintenance work. With only 56% of drivers expressing satisfaction, the M42’s reputation is at a significant low, underlining the pressing concerns regarding infrastructure management.
In contrast, the M40 motorway received praise from road users, attaining a 79% satisfaction rating, positioning it as England’s best motorway. Similarly, the A19 was voted the best road overall, with an impressive 85% satisfaction score. These figures come from a comprehensive survey conducted by Transport Focus, involving over 9,000 road users, and emphasise the disparity in experiences on different motorways and roads.
The survey also revealed a decline in overall satisfaction with journey times, decreasing from 73% in 2023 to 68% currently. The North West emerged as the most improved region, seeing a rise in satisfaction scores that lifted it from the bottom tier to a more favourable standing.
Alex Robertson, Chief Executive at Transport Focus, commented on the findings, stating, ‘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.’ This highlights the growing priority among road users for safe and smooth travel over the expansion of the road network.
The findings underscore the importance of addressing motorway maintenance to improve road user satisfaction across England.
