M5 named England’s most popular motorway by drivers in a new survey

12 September 2023

Drivers have rated the M5 as the most popular motorway in England in a new survey from the independent watchdog, Transport Focus.

In the Strategic Roads User Survey the M5 motorway between the Midlands and the South West had the highest overall satisfaction at 82 per cent. The M5 motorway has improved both its overall satisfaction rating (74 per cent last year) and its position in the rankings.

More than 9000 road users took part in the watchdog’s survey about their last journey on a motorway or major ‘A’ road managed by National Highways.

Road users were most satisfied with the M5 due to the time their journey took, good traffic flow and the road not being too busy during their journey.

Coming second was the M40 at 82 per cent* overall satisfaction, doing well again after being the most highly rated road last year (79 per cent).

As for ‘A’ roads, the A303 has been rated the best road in England. The road which connects the M3 and the A30 from London to Devon and Cornwall had the highest overall satisfaction at 85 per cent.

The M6 was rated the least popular motorway with the lowest level of satisfaction (66 per cent). The A27 receives the lowest level of overall satisfaction (59 per cent), followed by the A12 (61 per cent).

Journeys on smart motorways had lower levels of satisfaction with road users than those that did not include a smart section (smart 69 per cent; not smart 76 per cent).

Anthony Smith, chief executive of the independent watchdog Transport Focus said:

“England’s motorways and major ‘A’ roads are at the heart of how many of us move around the country. It’s good to see the M5 and M40 perform well.

“As the so-called backbone of Britain, the M6 is a vital route which National Highways must continue to focus on delivering safe, smooth journeys. We’ll continue to keep pushing National Highways to improve these issues.”

Key findings:

• overall, 73 per cent of road users were satisfied with their last motorway or major ‘A’ road journey, an improvement on last year’s 69 per cent

• 71 per cent of users were satisfied with the time their journey took
• the management of roadworks is the lowest performing area, just 48 per cent of those surveyed were satisfied.
• drivers rated the M5 the best motorway with 82 per cent satisfied overall
• the A303 has the highest overall satisfaction at 85 per cent
• the A27 receives the lowest level of overall satisfaction (59 per cent), followed by the A12 (61 per cent)
• of the motorways, the M6 has the lowest level of satisfaction (66 per cent).

Highest ranked roads – what drivers say

Commenting on the M5 one driver said: “Clear road and signage was clear for roadworks that were taking place.”

Another for the M40 said: “Traffic not too heavy, road in good condition”

Lowest ranked roads – what drivers say

One driver using the M6 said: “Terrible tarmac conditions in places, matrix signs not up to date, unwarranted smart motorway speed limits.”

Another using the A12 said: “The state of the A12 road surface is terrible, added to that the on-going roadworks make it a fairly unpleasant journey.”

The Strategic Roads User Survey helps National Highways develop initiatives and target investments that will improve the driver experience.

The survey is the formal measure in the Government’s second Road Investment Strategy as part of holding National Highways to account for delivering good customer experience.

Background

Download report: Strategic Road User Survey

*M40 ranks second for motorways, figure rounded.

In 2022/23 9006 people completed the Strategic Roads User Survey about their last journey using a motorway or major ‘A’ road managed by National Highways. See our data hub for further results.

 

Road	Overall satisfaction %
A303	85
M5	82
M40	82
A30	79
M11	79
A50	78
A19	77
M4	76
A46	76
A1(M)	76
A14	75
A38	74
A45	74
A3	73
A2	73
M3	72
M1	72
A34	72
M20**	70
M62	69
M56	69
A1	68
M27	68
M60	68
M42	68
M25	67
A5	67
A47	66
M6	66
A12	61
A27	59

**M20 based on 97 survey responses.

For further information please contact: Nina Devries, Senior communications officer, 07918626125 / Nina.Devries@transportfocus.org.uk