Drivers have rated the M42 as the worst motorway in England in a new survey from the independent watchdog, Transport Focus.  

The Strategic Roads User Survey asked more than 9,000 road users about their last journey on a motorway or major 'A' road managed by National Highways.  

The M42's place at the bottom of the league table comes after it scored 56 per cent for overall satisfaction from road users.

This follows a significant period of roadworks around Birmingham airport.

One of those dissatisfied said: "Roadworks, potholes and delays. Terrible road to drive on."  

The M40 motorway had the highest overall satisfaction at 79 per cent which has dropped from 82 per cent last year.

It has taken top spot as last year's top motorway, the M5, fell from 82 per cent to 77 per cent.

The A19 was rated the best 'A' road in England with the highest overall satisfaction at 85 per cent. The A12 received the lowest overall satisfaction rating from road users (55 per cent), followed by the A27 (63 per cent).  

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."  

(Header image by David Dixon via geograph.org.uk)