A12 ranked England's worst A Road

It's after a survey of more than 9,166 road users conducted by watchdog Transport Focus

A12
Author: Sian RochePublished 9th Oct 2024

The A12, which runs between Lowestoft and London, has been ranked as England's worst A Road.

It's after a survey of more than 9,166 road users conducted by watchdog Transport Focus.

The A12 was awarded a satisfaction score of just 55%.

At the other end of the scale, England's most popular A Road was identified as the A19, which connects Seaton Burn, near Newcastle, with Doncaster.

It secured a satisfaction score of 85%.

The worst motorway

In the same survey, drivers rated the M42 as England's worst motorway thanks to it having reduced speed limits "for no apparent reason" and the combination of "roadworks, potholes and delays".

The 40-mile-long motorway connects Birmingham with locations including Nottingham, Solihull, Tamworth and Redditch.

One respondent criticised the M42's "roadworks, potholes and delays", describing the motorway as a "terrible road to drive on".

Another said variable speed limits "do not always reflect the traffic conditions", complaining that they were "directed to reduce speed for no apparent reason".

Road users awarded the M42 an overall satisfaction score of 56%.

At the other end of the scale, England's most popular motorway was identified as the M40, which runs between London and Birmingham, earning a score of 79%.

One person surveyed said it is "one of the few motorways that has few delays when I travel on it".

Government-owned company National Highways is responsible for England's motorways and major A roads.

"National Highways must continue to focus on delivering safe, smooth journeys"

Transport Focus chief executive Alex Robertson 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."

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