Transport User Voice June 2025 – Road network improvements

17 June 2025

Capturing the user experience 

When we think of National Highways, we tend to imagine fast-moving motorways full of cars, lorries and motorbikes. 

However, road users are not just limited to these groups. Nearly half of the network is made up of ‘A’ roads also used by people walking, wheeling, cycling or riding horses.  

Almost 900 miles of footways, cycle tracks and shared paths are managed by National Highways across the country, and our latest research captures the experiences of those users.  

In our recent report, our focus is on the A590 in South Cumbria, which is a significant part of the 530-mile Strategic Road Network in north-west England. Covering 28 miles, this is the seventh area that Transport Focus has assessed from the perspective of walkers, wheelers, cyclists and horse riders. Each location has its own concerns, while some common themes have appeared in our findings. 

Maintaining existing crossing points, clearing overgrown vegetation, fixing uneven surfaces and updating signage – simple yet sometimes expensive improvements that roads across the country could benefit from. 

Focusing on the A590, the need for alternative off-road routes alongside the main carriageway is a common theme that users have raised to us. More consistent and continuous paths alongside safe and accessible places to cross the road would go a long way in making journeys safer and less stressful for these road users.  

Within each of the location-specific reports a range of improvements are cited that walkers, wheelers, cyclists and horse riders say would improve their experience. 

Transport Focus and National Highways will continue to work closely with these improvements in mind with the hope of establishing best practice across the network.  

Based on our findings, we will continue to continue to push for these road users to be fully considered in future infrastructure upgrades and renewals, ensuring that poorly performing routes are brought up to a consistent, high standard

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