The worst roads in Britain have been revealed – do you agree with the results?

BRITAIN’S least favourite roads have been revealed as part of a large-scale survey into driving satisfaction.

The survey looked at roads with the best journey experience in England according to drivers, run by the independent watchdog, Transport Focus.

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The watchdog spoke to more than 5,000 road users about their last journey on a motorway or major ‘A’ road managed by National Highways.

Road users were least satisfied with the A1 (57%) and out of the motorways, the M6 has the lowest level of satisfaction (59%).

One driver said the A1 has: “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, 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”.

The M40 was rated the best road in Britain, with a 79% satisfaction rate, while the best ‘A’ road was the A14 between Felixstowe and the Midlands.

Commenting on the M40 one driver said: “It’s the quietest and easiest motorway I use”. 

Another said: “M40 a nice wide motorway with rarely too much traffic problems.”

Road users praised the new section of the A14 between Cambridge and Huntingdon saying, “nice new road, smooth, no potholes, fast, easy traffic.”

Anthony Smith, chief executive of the independent watchdog 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.”