M4 in Berkshire ranked third best motorway in the UK

The Strategic Roads User Survey asked more than 9000 road users about their last journey on a motorway or major ‘A’ road managed by National Highways. The M4 was ranked as the third best in the country, with an overall satisfaction score of 75 percent. “Clear road, not too busy, speed controls and advice good,” reported on M4 driver who responded to the survey.

England’s most popular motorway was identified as the M40, which runs between London and Birmingham, earning a satisfaction score of 79 percent. The A19, which connects Seaton Burn, near Newcastle, with Doncaster, was rated the best A road in the country with 85%. The M42’s place at the bottom of the league table comes after it scored 56 per cent for overall satisfaction from road users.

The A12, which runs between London and Lowestoft, Suffolk, was ranked last with 55 percent. Alex Robertson, Chief Executive at the independent watchdog 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.”