THE worst motorway in England has officially been revealed – and it’s no surprise to fed-up drivers who face endless roadworks, miles of cones and frustrating 50mph limits.
The nightmare route has become a hotspot for delays, crashes and congestion, with motorists branding it a “never-ending building site” as major works drag on with no end in sight.
The M1 has been named the worst motorway in the UK – with drivers saying it’s become more roadwork than road[/caption]
The M1 has officially earned the title of Britain’s least-favourite motorway, with just 575 drivers saying they were satisfied with their journey – a damning verdict from the thousands who use it daily.
Originally built in the 1960s, it has undergone significant upgrades to accommodate increased traffic volume.
It’s known for being one of the busiest motorways, with parts now designated as “smart motorways” to manage congestion.
Stretching a whopping 193 miles and used by a staggering 140,000 drivers a day, it’s not hard to see why it’s the most hated.
Why are smart motorways dangerous?
New figures from National Highways reveal that vehicles are nearly three times more likely to break down on smart motorways than on traditional ones.
Despite making up just 20% of the motorway network, smart motorways accounted for a whopping 56% of all breakdowns logged last year – a total of 141,149 incidents, or around 387 every single day.
The shocking stats have been slammed as “a major concern” by the President of the AA, Edmund King OBE.
The tech meant to keep England’s smart motorways running smoothly has failed hundreds of times, a BBC Panorama investigation has revealed.
The shocking discovery comes after the government scrapped plans for new smart motorway stretches last year, amid mounting cost and safety fears.
These high-tech roads were designed to ease congestion, with some sections even ditching the hard shoulder to create an extra live lane.
Cameras, sensors and overhead signs are used to manage traffic flow, but frequent failures have sparked major concerns for driver safety.
As of April 2024, there were 396 miles of smart motorways across England – and growing calls for the existing network to be reviewed.
Sections between junctions 32 and 35a on the M1 are managed as smart motorways using technology like cameras and variable speed limits.
Extensive roadworks have been carried out to install emergency areas on smart motorway sections.
But, frustrated motorists have been battling through endless roadworks and mile after mile of 50mph average speed limits.
In June 2023, National Highways announced plans to install 12 extra emergency refuge areas along stretches of the M1 following mounting safety concerns.
The fix has brought with it a sea of cones, signs and slower journeys, leaving drivers fuming.
The M1 stretches from London to Leeds with 48 junctions along the way – but behind the stats lies a dark past of disaster and chaos.
Accidents
The removal of the hard shoulder on some smart motorways has concerned critics as a broken down vehicle can be left stranded and emergency services may struggle to get through.
National Highways’ latest figures suggest that if you break down on a smart motorway without a hard shoulder you are three times more likely to be killed or seriously injured than on one with a hard shoulder.
At least 79 people have been killed on smart motorways since they were introduced in 2010.
Over the decades, the M1 has been the site of several significant incidents, including a major pile-up in fog, an aircraft crash, and closures for Diana, Princess of Wales’ funeral procession, according to M1 Traffic.
In 2017, it was the site of one of the worst motorway tragedies in recent history, when two lorries ploughed into a minibus near Newport Pagnell, killing six men and two women.
The crash marked the deadliest motorway incident since the 1993 M40 school minibus disaster.
Now over 65 years old, the M1 remains a breakdown blackspot, recording a staggering amount of breakdowns, way more than any other motorway in England.
Public Backlash
Driver satisfaction is on the slide, with only 69% of motorists saying they’re happy with their journey – a 2% drop compared to last year, as frustration mounts over the never-ending roadworks clogging up the country’s motorways.
According to Transport Focus’ Strategic Roads User Survey, while drivers “recognise” the need for more emergency refuge areas, many say they’ve been left fed up with the constant cones, delays and reduced speed limits.
The M1 in particular has come under fire, with users saying it’s become more roadwork than road – and patience is wearing thin.
One survey respondent said: “Miles of coned off road with little or no sign of actual work being done.”
Another added: “Roadworks and average speed checks. M1 is a very difficult road to plan time wise.”
The government says it’s pumping £900 million into improving smart motorway technology in a bid to make the existing network safer for drivers, but there are no plans to bring back the hard shoulder.
3 vital checks to do before using your car in the hot weather
Experts are warning Brits to act now before hitting the road and say a few simple checks could save your motor – and your wallet – from a summer meltdown.
Drivers are being urged to check oil and coolant levels, as well as tyre pressure and tread, before setting off.
And if you spot a problem, don’t risk it – get it looked at by a mechanic or trusted garage before heading out, or you could end up broken down on the hard shoulder in blistering heat.
Always carry plenty of drinking water, and don’t forget sun cream, a sun hat, and even an umbrella to provide shade while you wait for help.
Experts say if you do break down, it’s vital to get out safely and seek shade where possible – as sitting in a sweltering vehicle can be just as dangerous as being stuck outside.
RAC breakdown spokesperson Alice Simpson said: “We’re seeing a surge in breakdowns as this latest period of hot weather takes hold, with up to 20% more vehicles failing than expected at this point in July.
“Drivers should do whatever they can to avoid their vehicles letting them down in these conditions – oil and coolant levels, as well as tyres, must be checked before journeys are made.
“If anything isn’t right, get the problem diagnosed by a mobile mechanic or reputable garage, rather than running the risk of driving.
“Staying safe in the heat, especially if a breakdown is unavoidable, should be in the mind of every driver.
“Carrying plenty of water for all passengers is a must, as is keeping sunscreen and a sun hat or even umbrella to hand to reduce the ferocity of the sun.
“When waiting for assistance, look for a safe location in the shade and well away from moving traffic.”
