Less than half of logistics and coach companies satisfied with England’s major roads, new survey reveals

24 October 2024

Less than half of logistics and coach businesses are satisfied with England’s motorways and major ‘A’ roads, according to the latest survey from independent watchdog Transport Focus.

The Logistics and Coach Survey asks freight and coach companies how well these roads, managed by National Highways, meet their business needs. The survey focuses on road surface quality, information, accident response, the quality of rest facilities and National Highways’ overall management of the roads.

The survey, referred to in the current Road Investment Strategy, is expected to become an official indicator of National Highways performance shortly. Over the four years of this survey, overall satisfaction has declined from 55 per cent in 2020-21 to 44 per cent in 2023-24.

Satisfaction with clearing up after accidents and with rest stop facilities were rated lowest. For day-to-day management of National Highways’ roads, safety scored highest with 60 per cent rating it as good.

Businesses said they would like to see the following improvements:

  • a reduction in the length of roadworks, with repairs being carried out in smaller bursts;
  • more live information made readily available to them;
  • better rest stop facilities; and
  • for National Highways to clear incidents more quickly.

Alex Robertson, Chief Executive of the independent watchdog Transport Focus, said:

“Lorries and coaches are vital parts of our national infrastructure that are too easily taken for granted. We rely on them for everything, from helping millions of people each year to get around the country, delivering parcels, to stocking our supermarket shelves. But according to our latest survey, not even half of these essential businesses are satisfied with how motorways and major ‘A’ roads are run.

“Clearing incidents more quickly, better live information and carrying out roadworks in smaller bursts are all things they say would make a big difference. We’ll be working closely with the roads sector to help drive improvements and ensure this issue gets the attention it deserves.”

Lorry driver facilities

The ratings for lorry driver rest stops are of particular concern. Just 17 per cent rated the quality of facilities as good and 23 per cent rated how many stopping places there are as good. Value for money of rest stops received the lowest individual rating, with less than one in 10 saying this was good.

Lorry driver facilities will be an ongoing area of focus for the watchdog with the first results from its new Lorry Driver Facilities Survey published during National Lorry Week (4 – 8 November). This will report on the experience of lorry drivers themselves and what they say about the availability and quality of rests stops they depend on.

What logistics and coach businesses say

“Motorways and A roads are on the whole well maintained, but safe, secure and affordable parking for HGVs is wholly inadequate, as are the facilities for drivers.”​ Freight manager

“Accident investigation should be speeded up, far too long re-opening roads. In Europe the roads open within an hour. They take photos of the area and measurements are taken from them.” Freight manager

“I would like to see a greater emphasis on the importance of road haulage, such as dedicated lorry lanes and priority lanes.” Freight manager

For further information please call the press office on 0300 123 2170

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