It might be short – only 28 miles – connecting picturesque New Forest town, Cadnam, with Portsmouth but the M27 has the longest list of complaints of any UK motorway. The unfortunate M27 has been named the UK’s worst motorway in a survey conducted by independent watchdog, Transport Focus.
A comment from one survey respondent sums it up: “Roadworks on the M27 are terrible; the reduction in speed; the narrow lanes and you very rarely see any roadworks actually taking place.”
On a more positive note, across the UK as a whole, 71% of the 9,500 survey respondents were satisfied with their journey, 2% up on the previous year’s findings. According to the survey, journey times are the most important factor for drivers. There was some more good news here – overall satisfaction rising to 69%.
As you’d expect, roadworks remain a major point of dissatisfaction – only 50% of drivers reporting that the were happy with their roadworks experience. This reflected another perhaps, unsurprising finding; drivers who experienced roadworks on their journey were significantly less satisfied than those who hadn’t – 58% compared to 77%.
The thorny issue of roadworks is likely to climb up further up the agenda over the next few years. Most motorways were built in the 1960s – as a result they’re getting towards the end of their lifespan. So further disruption across the UK’s motorway network is on the cards over the coming years.
Commenting on this, Transport Focus director, Louise Collins said: “By applying the positive lessons from recent schemes, National Highways has an opportunity to ensure roadworks are well-planned, clearly communicated and minimise disruption wherever possible.”