UK motorways ranked from best to worst – and drivers say the M25 isn’t No. 1

Britain’s motorways are vital arteries in the nation’s economy, without which Britain’s growth and productivity would no doubt be diminished.

However, despite their undeniable importance, the UK’s motorways aren’t exactly much-loved institutions, with some of them actively disliked by the motorists that use them.

A new survey by Transport Focus asked a section of British drivers what they made of their motorways, and the results may surprise some.

The Strategic Roads User Survey found that the M42, which hooks round the south and east of Birmingham, was branded Britain’s worst motorway, with 42 percent of drivers finding it unsatisfactory.

Second was the M62 which cuts across the Pennines, with 40 percent of drivers unsatisfied. The M25, otherwise known as the London Orbital, was third least liked with 33 percent of motorists displeased with it.

The nation’s favourite strip of tarmac is the M40, connecting London, Oxford and Birmingham – only 21 percent of motorists were unhappy with it.

The M4 linking London and Bristol came in a close second, while the M5, which runs from the Midlands to Exeter was third – although its disapproval rating climbed from 18 to 23 compared to last year.

Transport Focus’s Chief Executive told the Independent why he thought the M42 had such negative feedback.

Alex Robertson said: “We had a lot of road works around Birmingham airport.

“People are less happy with journeys that take a bit longer, with the road surface quality and when management of road works isn’t what it should be.”