The worst motorway in England is plagued with ‘terrible’ delays, roadworks and 50mph limits - full list

The 40-mile stretch of road which has a 50mph speed limit was ranked by more than 9,000 drivers as the worst motorway full of potholes.

The M42 scored 56 per cent for overall satisfaction in the Transport Focus survey with drivers ranking it low following a significant period of roadworks around Birmingham Airport.

Do you have a story you'd like to share? Get in touch by emailingmotoring@gbnews.uk

One driver said that roadworks, potholes and delayshave made the road “terrible” to drive on alongside lower speed limits.

Alex Robertson, Chief Executive at Transport Focus, 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.”

In contrast, the M40 motorway which connects drivers from London to the West Midlands was ranked top with the highest overall satisfaction at 79 per cent.

One driver praised the road as being “one of the few motorways that has few delays when I travel on it".

The M5, which runs from Birmingham to Exeter, came in second on the top-rated motorway list falling from 82 per cent to 77 per cent.

Meanwhile, the A19 was rated the best A road in England with the highest overall satisfaction at 85 per cent. This compares to the A12 which runs between London and the coastal town of Lowestoft which received the lowest overall satisfaction rating from road users at 55 per cent.

Driver dissatisfaction with England motorways was also noted in the latest data from the Department for Transport.

It highlighted how average road delays last roughly 11 seconds per vehicle per mile compared with 8.6 seconds in 2016 with many motorways now operating at just 56mph.

Simon Williams, head of policy at the RAC, pointed out that the DfT data showed how average speeds on major roads are down and delays are up, both year-on-year and compared to before Covid.

He warned: “While an increase in traffic volumes is no doubt a factor in delays increasing, it can’t be the only cause so we suspect other factors are likely to be contributing, whether that is roadworks or just traffic snarling up at known pinch points.”

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:

• Labour promises to reinstate 2030 petrol and diesel car ban despite 'challenges' with electric vehicles
• Drivers charged millions in Ulez expansion fines as petrol and diesel owners continue to be punished
• Uber calls for return of 2030 petrol and diesel car ban as it suggests waiting longer for electric vehicles

A National Highways spokesperson said: “Maintaining and investing in our roads is a priority and our most recent assessment shows that over 96 per cent of them are in good condition.

“We have a robust programme of improvements which will provide long-term benefits for motorists, including shorter and more reliable journeys.”

The top five ranked motorways

1. M40 - (79 per cent)

2. M4 - (78 per cent)

3. M5 - (77 per cent)

4. M56 - (73 per cent)

5. M3 - (73 per cent)

The worst five ranked motorways

1. M42 - (56 per cent)

2. M62 - (60 per cent)

3. M25 - (67 per cent)

4. M11 - (68 per cent)

5. M1 - (69 per cent)