M4 named one of the worst motorways in the UK by drivers

The M4 motorway which runs through Swindon has been named among the worst in the UK, according to The AA. <i>(Image: Newsquest)</i>
The M4 motorway which runs through Swindon has been named among the worst in the UK, according to The AA. (Image: Newsquest)
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A motorway that runs through Swindon has been named one of the UK’s worst, according to drivers.

The M4 has been named the UK's sixth worst motorway after the M25, M5 and M6, according to a new poll of AA members.

The M4 is nearly 200 miles long starting at Junction 1 in Chiswick and finishing at Junction 49 at Pont Abraham in West Wales.

In the poll, three per cent of those who took part voted the M4 as the worst motorway to drive on in the UK, meaning it ranked in sixth place (289 votes) out of 10 motorways.

Those who took part in the poll shared their thoughts about the M4 and why it’s so problematic.

Heavy congestion, delays, accidents and frequent roadworks topped the list.

Junction 15 in Swindon is known for being a bottleneck for congestion, with tailbacks often causing jams.

In December last year a stretch of the M4 near Swindon was closed for the majority of the day after hydraulic fluid spilled across the carriageway.

National Highways carried out emergency resurfacing works after the road surface was "significantly damaged" by the spillage.

What are the UK's worst motorways?

The AA listed the top ten worst motorways in the country according to its latest poll.

They are:

M25

M6

M1

M5

M62

M4

M42

M60

M8

M27

Jack Cousens, AA head of roads policy, said that it was “no wonder” 80s singer Chris Rea declared the M25 as the ‘Road To Hell’.


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“It’s quite telling that nine of the worst motorways have sections of ‘smart’ motorway,” Mr Cousens said.

“Drivers have had to endure years of works for the initial conversion followed by yet more misery to add in the extra emergency areas.

“Most are telling us they have felt little if any benefit from losing the hard shoulder, with many claiming it’s led to more congestion.

"As constant jams and delays frustrate commuters, drivers are always looking for ways to keep the wheels turning.

"Checking your route before setting off with the AA Route Planner can help avoid sitting at the back of the queue.”

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