Less than half of logistics and coach companies rate England’s major roads positively

26 May 2022

Just under half – 46 per cent – of freight and coach managers are satisfied with England’s motorways and major ‘A’ roads.

In the latest survey from independent watchdog Transport Focus, we asked nearly 1400 freight and coach vehicle managers for their views on how these roads meet their business needs.

As well as satisfaction overall, we asked about the quality of information, response to accidents, road surface quality and rest facilities for drivers.

Rest facilities and clearing up after accidents had the lowest satisfaction rating.

While the availability of live travel information was rated better than information for planning ahead, less than half of respondents said they were satisfied. Information about roads not opening on time after roadworks rated lower still.

When asked about aspects of National Highways’ day-to-day management of its network, road safety came out on top with over half – 57 per cent – rating it positively.

Anthony Smith, chief executive of Transport Focus, said:

“Freight and coach businesses, whose work is vital to our lives and the economy, have told us clearly that there is more to do to meet their needs.

“We’ll continue our work with National Highways to keep these issues top of mind and get the improvements that these key users of England’s major roads want.”

Asked what they want done better, businesses said:

• where possible roadworks should be delivered in shorter lengths – and if that isn’t possible they want a greater sense of pace to project delivery
• clear and accurate information about planned road closures, including when roadworks are not going to finish on time
• improved roadside facilities for lorries to stop, including facilities for drivers and protection against theft and vandalism.

Carried out three times each year, the next survey will take place in June.

Notes to editors

• The Logistics and Coach Survey: Strategic Roads is a survey of businesses running lorries and coaches on National Highways roads, not a survey of lorry and coach drivers’ experiences. The latter are covered in Transport Focus’s Strategic Roads User Survey.
• 46 per cent of businesses were satisfied with how these roads meet their business needs, 25 per cent were dissatisfied and 29 per cent were neither satisfied nor dissatisfied.
• Transport Focus is also carrying out research on lorry drivers’ experiences of roadside facilities provided for them which will be released later this year.

Press office contact

For further information please contact: Misha MccGwire, senior communications officer, misha.mccgwire@transportfocus.org.uk /07596 317558.