Survey Finds M27 at the Bottom of Driver Satisfaction Rankings
A major motorway in Hampshire has been ranked as the least popular in England after drivers cited ongoing roadworks, congestion and concerns over smart motorway safety. The findings come from the latest annual survey by Transport Focus, highlighting the continuing challenges facing motorists as the country prepares for a significant programme of road maintenance and infrastructure upgrades.
The results suggest that while overall satisfaction with England’s strategic road network has improved, drivers continue to express frustration with lengthy roadworks and the operation of smart motorways.
M27 Records Lowest Satisfaction Among England’s Motorways
Just over half of motorists who travelled on the 28-mile M27 reported being satisfied with their journey, making it the lowest-rated motorway in England in the latest Transport Focus Strategic Road User Survey.
Across England’s motorways and major A-roads, overall driver satisfaction reached 71 per cent, up from 69 per cent recorded the previous year.
The survey also found that confidence levels remained lower on smart motorway sections. Around 78 per cent of drivers said they felt safe using smart motorways, compared with 82 per cent on conventional motorway routes.
Roadworks Continue to Frustrate Drivers
One respondent described the M27 roadworks as “terrible”, saying reduced speed limits and narrowed lanes remained in place despite workers rarely being visible on site.
The motorway has been undergoing long-term resurfacing works and junction improvements following the introduction of its smart motorway system in 2022. As part of the upgrade, sections of the hard shoulder were converted into additional traffic lanes.
Smart motorways remain a controversial feature of England’s road network, with critics arguing that removing the permanent hard shoulder can leave broken-down vehicles stranded in live traffic lanes until emergency services arrive.
The M27 is one of the busiest routes in southern England, carrying around 110,000 vehicles each day through the Southampton area and serving as a key transport corridor for commuters, freight traffic and travellers heading towards the south coast.
Other Motorways Perform Significantly Better
The survey found that Kent’s M20 received the highest satisfaction rating among England’s motorways, with 79 per cent of drivers reporting positive experiences.
The M56, linking parts of Greater Manchester and Cheshire, ranked close behind.
Motorists also reported year-on-year improvements in journey times and road surface quality. However, only around half of respondents said they were satisfied with how roadworks were being managed.
A recurring criticism involved extensive stretches of traffic cones and temporary speed restrictions remaining in place even when no visible construction work appeared to be taking place.
A30 Tops A-Road Rankings While A12 Trails Behind
Among England’s major A-roads, the A30 between west London and Cornwall achieved the highest satisfaction score at 79 per cent.
By contrast, the A12, connecting east London with Suffolk, recorded the lowest rating among major A-roads, with satisfaction standing at 64 per cent.
Major Investment Programme Set to Increase Roadworks
England’s motorway and major road network is entering one of its largest maintenance programmes since much of the infrastructure was originally built during the 1960s.
National Highways is beginning a five-year renewal programme under the Government’s third Road Investment Strategy (RIS3), meaning motorists are likely to encounter further roadworks across the network over the coming years.
Industry Figures Call for Better Management
Steve Gooding, Director of the RAC Foundation, said there was a clear connection between motorists’ satisfaction and how effectively roadworks were managed.
He said the survey indicated that National Highways would need to improve its performance consistently across England given the scale of maintenance planned through to 2030.
Louise Collins, Director of Transport Focus, said the latest findings showed that improvements in the driving experience were achievable.
She said overall satisfaction had increased and drivers were recognising progress in several key areas. However, she noted that roadworks continued to have a major influence on how motorists judged their journeys.
Collins added that applying lessons from successful projects would help National Highways deliver better-planned roadworks, improve communication with road users and minimise disruption wherever possible.
National Highways Responds
National Highways, which manages England’s Strategic Road Network of motorways and major A-roads, described the survey findings as encouraging.
Customer Director Sandie Forte-Gill said the results suggested the organisation had gained a better understanding of motorists’ priorities and that efforts to improve the driving experience were delivering positive outcomes.
She acknowledged, however, that although satisfaction with roadworks had improved compared with the previous year, it remained one of the areas where drivers expected further progress.
The survey, based on responses from more than 9,500 motorists, also found that overall satisfaction with journeys on smart motorways increased from 60 per cent last year to 66 per cent. Transport Focus attributed the improvement to the completion of several road improvement schemes and ongoing efforts to enhance the experience for road users.
Ongoing Challenge for England’s Road Network
While driver satisfaction across England’s strategic road network has shown gradual improvement, the M27 continues to stand out as a source of frustration for many motorists. With major infrastructure investment set to continue throughout the decade, how roadworks are planned, communicated and managed is likely to remain a key factor in shaping public confidence in the country’s road network.
Graham Greene is a contributor to Dealmakerz, covering news, politics, business, technology, sport, entertainment, and lifestyle. He focuses on clear, accurate reporting and useful information that helps readers stay informed about current affairs and developments that matter to them. His work highlights relevant stories, emerging trends, and key issues, presenting them in a balanced, accessible, and reader-friendly way.
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