The worst motorways in the UK for 2023 according to drivers have been revealed as part of a major annual survey.
And the M6 has bagged the top spot on the not-so-coveted list… yet again.
For what is the second year running now, the major motorway – regularly referred to as ‘the backbone of the UK’ given its length – has been rated the least popular in England by the thousands of frustrated drivers who had their say in the ‘Strategic Roads User Survey’, which is carried out annually by Transport Focus.
More than 9,000 people took part in the independent watchdog’s survey this year, and their feedback will go towards helping National Highways develop initiatives and target investments to improve motoring experiences across the country.
The worst motorways in the UK for 2023 have been revealed as part of a major annual survey / Credit: Mat Fascione (via Geograph) | Wikimedia Commons
For the survey, motorists were asked to comment on the last journey they took on a motorway or major ‘A’ road managed by National Highways in England, and then from this feedback, each highway given an overall satisfaction score.
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The watchdog said the survey is a formal measure in the UK Government‘s second ‘Road Investment Strategy’.
The strategy is aiming to hold National Highways to account for delivering “good customer experience”.
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The M6 scored just 66% driver satisfaction on the survey, making it the least popular motorway in the country for 2023 for the second year running, however, this is an improvement on last year, believe it or not, as back in 2021/22, it only scored 59%.
More than 9,000 people took part in this year’s survey / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
The “terrible” tarmac conditions in places, matrix signs apparently not being up-to-date, and unwarranted smart motorway speed limits were provided by drivers as reasons for the M6’s low score.
Coming runners-up to the M6 are the M62 and M56, which also both ranked poorly and received a 69% level of satisfaction rating, while the M60 was also not far behind either on 68% overall.
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On the other end of the scale, the M5 was named by survey respondents as the most popular motorway in England with the highest overall satisfaction at 82%, followed by the M40 also at 82%.
The highest overall satisfaction in ‘A’ roads was A303 at 85%.
We are pleased this research shows that satisfaction has improved as we have been working hard to improve the experience for road users. We will continue to work hard to help every driver have safer and smoother journeys. 2/2
“England’s motorways and major ‘A’ roads are at the heart of how many of us move around the country,” said Transport Focus’ chief executive, Anthony Smith, as he commented on the survey results.
“It’s good to see the M5 and M40 perform well.
“But as the so-called backbone of Britain, the M6 is a vital route which National Highways must continue to focus on delivering safe and smooth journeys.
Family pay tribute to father-of-two killed in Rochdale plane crash
Daisy Jackson
The family of a man killed in a light aircraft crash in Rochdale have paid tribute to a ‘deeply loving father and devoted husband’.
36-year-old Arian Abbasi was one of two men killed when an aircraft crashed into farmland in Littleborough in Rochdale last week, after travelling from Birmingham.
Emergency services rushed to the scene shortly after 11am on Tuesday 3 February, but sadly pronounced both men dead at the scene.
It’s believed there was no one else on board the aircraft, and there were no reported injuries on the ground.
Now, Arian’s family have issued a moving tribute to him. He was a pilot from Harrow in Greater London.
They described him as being a ‘deeply loving’ family man, whose passion was flying.
He was about to embark on a new chapter with a commercial airline in just a few weeks’ time.
His family said: “He lived his life for his family and friends, giving them his constant love, strength, and support.
“Flying was his passion, and he was on the brink of beginning an exciting new chapter with a commercial airline on 23 February; a dream he had worked toward with immense pride and determination.”
GMP investigations are now focused on finding part of the parachute system which contains propellant and hasn’t yet been located.
Finding the device has been ‘very difficult’ due to the nature of the terrain and the wide area over which it may have travelled.
It measures approximately 10 cm in diameter and 30 cm long and has a red anodised finish. It weighs less than 2 kg. It may have a silver metal collar attached at one end.
GMP said: “Please do not handle the device if you see it. If discovered, contact the police immediately via 101 or our Live Chat at gmp.police.uk, quoting log 1056 of 03/02/26.”
Homeless children in Greater Manchester will now get free bus travel to and from school
Emily Sergeant
Children who are currently living in temporary housing in Greater Manchester are set to get extra support with school travel.
In a move that was announced by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) at the end of last week, and following years of campaigning, homeless children living in temporary accommodation are now set to get free school travel on all Bee Network buses.
TfGM says it understands that some children end up a long way from their school when placed into temporary accommodation, and this leaves parents or carers with the difficult choice of either having to move them to a closer school, which ultimately disrupts their education, or having to pay unexpected travel costs.
While the Greater Manchester Strategy – which is the plan for the city region’s next decade – commits to reducing the number of families and children in temporary accommodation, and measures are also being taken to make sure residents have the support they need to ‘access, improve, and retain’ a decent, affordable home, this doesn’t tackle the immediate issue.
Homeless children in Greater Manchester will now get free school bus travel / Credit: TfGM
So, to help those families when they ‘need it most’, free bus travel to and from school is set to be provided, as subject to approval of this year’s Combined Authority budget.
The move comes after Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham asked TfGM last year to look at options to help with the cost of travel.
“Using our locally-controlled Bee Network buses to support families when they need it most is the right thing to do,” Andy Burnham commented.
Of course, the long-term solution is no kids in TA and we’re working with our councils to achieve this in the next few years.
We can do it because GM will soon hit the point where we are building more council and social homes every year than we’re losing through right-to-buy. 👍🏻
“A move into temporary accommodation is often a massive upheaval for families and can be a worrying time. With this measure, the cost of travel to school will be one less thing for families to worry about.
“It will mean parents and carers don’t have to choose between an extra demand on their household budget and keeping their children with friends and teachers they know and trust.”
Emily Sergeant -
13th September 2023 
