At McGregor Logistics Ltd, headquartered in Doncaster, we are dedicated to ensuring that the roadways crucial to our industry are optimised for success. In a recent survey conducted by the esteemed independent watchdog, Transport Focus, the satisfaction levels among logistics and coach businesses regarding England's motorways and major 'A' roads have been evaluated.
The results of this survey are enlightening. Among the myriad logistics and coach businesses, a notable 49% of the freight sector and 46% of the coach sector expressed their satisfaction with the motorways and major 'A' roads in England, based on their ability to meet business requirements.
While this represents a slight increase from the previous year's survey, where 46% of freight and coach managers conveyed satisfaction with the nation's major roads, there is still room for improvement.
Transport Focus engaged with over a thousand logistics and coach enterprises, delving into their perspectives on various aspects of roadways.
This comprehensive exploration encompassed areas such as information availability, responsiveness to incidents and accidents, road surface quality, the quality of rest stops, and the management practices of National Highways in maintaining these roadways.
Anthony Smith, the Chief Executive of Transport Focus, stated, "Our freight and coach businesses are the backbone of our nation's movement and productivity. While we acknowledge the upturn in the overall rating, it's evident that there's more work to be done to cater to their specific requirements.
We are steadfast in our collaboration with National Highways to prioritise these issues and effect the necessary improvements."
Key Insights from the Survey:
49% of the freight sector and 46% of the coach sector expressed overall satisfaction.
Satisfaction with live travel information and advance planning information fell below expectations.
Remarkably, only 22% regarded information regarding overrunning roadworks as adequate.
Rest facilities received notably low ratings, with merely 8% deeming the value for money of rest stops as satisfactory.
In terms of daily road management by National Highways, safety garnered the highest approval rating at 60%.
When queried about areas requiring enhancement, businesses voiced their desire for National Highways to:
Minimise the duration of roadworks and conduct them in smaller phases.
Upgrade roadside amenities, including provision for secure parking and improved restroom facilities.
Expedite the clearance of incidents for smoother traffic flow.
This significant survey has been cited in the Government's Road Investment Strategy for 2020-25. Transport Focus anticipates its official recognition as a performance indicator from April 2024.
In the coming year, Transport Focus will leverage the survey outcomes to urge National Highways to elevate their efforts, ensuring a tailored approach that aligns seamlessly with the needs of these vital stakeholders – our nation's logistics and coach enterprises.
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