If you manage a fleet – whether it’s a fleet of HGVs or a fleet of taxis – then it’s worth keeping tabs on the state of UK roads. In theory, if you can help your drivers avoid any poorly maintained or badly congested roads, you could save money on costly delays and maintenance.
In this post we’ll explore some of the best and worst UK motorways for drivers.
If you are a fleet manager, our friendly commercial motor experts are always on hand to discuss your risk management and insurance requirements. Get in touch on 020 8290 9099, or email commercial.motor@anthonyjones.com.
What Influences a Road’s Quality?
Independent watchdog Transport Focus recently surveyed over 9,000 UK drivers on their most recent journey on a National Highways motorway or A-road.
They asked drivers to rate their satisfaction with the following:
- Journey time.
- Journey time compared to expectation.
- Delays caused by factors other than roadworks.
- Traffic levels.
- Road markings.
- The feeling of safety.
- The condition of the road surface.
They published the results in their Strategic Roads User Survey.
How Was Your Last Motorway Journey?
Transport Focus found that, overall, the majority of UK drivers are reasonably satisfied with the state of the UK’s major roads. 71% of respondents said they were satisfied with their most recent motorway or A-road journey. However, this represents a slight drop from the previous year’s report, in which 73% of respondents were satisfied with their last journey.
Further to this:
- 68% were satisfied with their journey time, compared to 2023’s 71%.
- 68% were satisfied with the road surface quality, compared to 2023’s 73%.
- Only 49% were satisfied with the management of road works. This figure was about the same in 2023.
So, while UK drivers are generally satisfied with the state of Britain’s major roads, things do appear to be getting worse.
What’s The Best Motorway in the UK?
The M4 and the M40 have the highest overall satisfaction ratings of all motorways. 79% were satisfied with their last journey on the M40, and 78% with their last journey on the M4.
The M40 was also the highest rated motorway for journey times, with 76% of respondents expressing satisfaction.
The highest rated road overall was the A19. 85% expressed overall satisfaction with their last journey on the A19, and 82% were satisfied with the journey time.
What’s The Worst Motorway in the UK?
Only 52% of respondents were satisfied with their last journey on the M42, making this the lowest rated motorway in the UK. In terms of journey times, only 53% claimed to be satisfied, compared to 66% in 2023.
An average of 37% of drivers reported experiencing heavy traffic or congestion on the M42. The average figure for all roads is 25%, meaning that the M42 is over 10% more congested than almost any other road in the UK.
Why is the M42 in such a dire state? It may be due to the long period of roadworks surrounding Birmingham airport. 50% of all drivers who took the M42 claimed to have passed through roadworks. The national average for all roads is 27%.
Can You Factor This Into Your Fleet Management?
In theory, if you know the worst roads in the UK for drivers, you can factor this into your route planning, ensuring that your drivers will always avoid the roads with the most congestion, or the most potholes.
But in practice, it may not be possible to avoid these major roads. Just like it may not be possible to avoid the worst areas for potholes.
Unfortunately, roadworks, congestion, potholes, and other annoyances may always be an inevitable part of driving in the UK. With this in mind, your fleet management strategy should focus on the things you can control, rather than the things that are out of your hands.
If you are a fleet manager, our friendly commercial motor experts are always on hand to discuss your risk management and insurance requirements. Get in touch on 020 8290 9099, or email commercial.motor@anthonyjones.com.
