Freight and coach firms dissatisfied with SRN

24/10/2024 | CHRIS AMES

Freight and coach firms dissatisfied with SRN

Fewer than half of logistics and coach businesses are satisfied with England’s strategic road network, according to the latest survey from watchdog Transport Focus.

The Logistics and Coach Survey asks freight and coach companies how well roads on National Highways’ network meet their business needs.

The poll focuses on surface quality, information, accident response, the quality of rest facilities and the company’s overall management of the network. It is expected to become an official indicator of National Highways’ performance shortly.

Over the four years of this survey, overall satisfaction has declined from 55% in 2020-21 to 44% in 2023-24. Satisfaction with clearing up after accidents and with rest stop facilities were rated lowest.

For day-to-day management of the SRN, safety scored highest with 60% rating it as good.

Transport Focus chief executive Alex Robertson said: ‘Lorries and coaches are vital parts of our national infrastructure that are too easily taken for granted. Clearing incidents more quickly, better live information and carrying out road works in smaller bursts are all things they say would make a big difference.

‘We’ll be working closely with the roads sector to help drive improvements and ensure this issue gets the attention it deserves.’

The watchdog said lorry driver rest stops are of particular concern, with just 17% rating the quality of facilities as good and 23% rating the number of stopping places as good. Value for money of rest stops received the lowest rating, with fewer than one in 10 saying this was good.

Businesses said they would like to see the following improvements:

  • a reduction in the length of road works, with repairs being carried out in smaller bursts
  • more live information made readily available to them
  • better rest stop facilities
  • for National Highways to clear incidents more quickly.

A National Highways spokesperson said: ‘The logistics and coach sectors are vital to our economy and rely on our motorways and A roads. We are committed to making changes to improve their experience and boost business.

‘Drivers need a safe place to stop to rest on their journeys. That’s why we have invested £13m to help transform lorry parking facilities across England to make them safer and cleaner, we are clearing roads within an hour after incidents and providing up-to-date information to drivers.’

As Highways reported last week, out of £13m for operators to improve lorry parks due to be spent by next March, National Highways has approved just £3m since last December.

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Senior Civil Engineer - Major Projects x 4

£45,894.00 - £54,952.00
We are looking for experienced engineers to help us progress a number of key projects and programmes Glasgow, Glasgow City
Recruiter: Transport Scotland

Technician - Maintenance

£31001.0000 - £36471.0000 per annum
Essex Highways is responsible for managing and maintaining one of the largest highway networks in the country
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Highways Contract Engineer

£46,731 - £49,764
The team helps provide a safe road network that operates efficiently and effectively.  Northamptonshire
Recruiter: North Northamptonshire Council

Principal Transport Planner

£46,731 - £49,764 (pro-rata)
We are looking for an experienced professional to join us on a six-month temporary contact as a Principal Transport Planner. Kettering, Northamptonshire
Recruiter: North Northamptonshire Council

Highways Maintenance Operative

£Competitive
We have a fantastic opportunity for a Permanent Highways Maintenance Operative Broughton, Brigg
Recruiter: Amey

Head of Highways Contracts & Network

£81,803 progressing to £90,664 per annum
The team includes approximately 60 directly employed HCC people Hertfordshire
Recruiter: Hertfordshire County Council

Principal Construction Manager

£Competitive
We are excited to offer a fantastic opportunity for a Permanent Principal Construction Manager Yorkshire and the Humber
Recruiter: Amey

Quality Technician

£Competitive
We are excited to offer a fantastic opportunity for a Permanent Quality Technician Yorkshire and the Humber
Recruiter: Amey

Senior Highway Engineer (Development Management)

£42679.0000 - £50211.0000 per annum
Senior Highway Engineer (Development Management)Permanent, Full Time£43,960 to £51,718 per annum*Location
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Project Manager (Major Projects)

£44,711 - £47,754
Are you an experienced project professional or engineer with looking to take the next step in your career? Halifax, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council

Senior Civil Engineer - Roads

£45,894 - £54,952
Are you an experienced engineer looking to support the Scottish Government’s national objectives. Scotland
Recruiter: Transport Scotland

Senior Civil Engineering Technician

Grade 7 £29,093 to £32,654 per annum
We are looking for a flexible individual who has the ability to meet targets and analyse and resolve complex technical problems and formulate a design Durham
Recruiter: Durham County Council

Project Team Manager

£55,147 to £60,676 per annum
We are pleased to be able to offer an opportunity for a role as Design Team Manager Norwich, Norfolk
Recruiter: Norfolk County Council

Clerk of Works

GRADE 08 (£37,938 - £41,511)
Warrington is one of the most successful towns in the country Warrington, Cheshire
Recruiter: Warrington Borough Council

Assistant Projects Engineer

GRADE 06 (£29,093 - £32,654),GRADE 07 (£33,366 - £37,035), GRADE 08 (£37,938 - £41,511)
Warrington is one of the most successful towns in the country Warrington, Cheshire
Recruiter: Warrington Borough Council

Principal Engineer - Traffic Management

£45,718 - £48,710 per annum
At Bath & North East Somerset Council we have one overriding purpose – to improve people’s lives. Bath, Somerset
Recruiter: Bath & North East Somerset Council

Vehicle Technician - Improver

£28,624 - £30,060
Transport Services is responsible for all aspects of transport and related services Huddersfield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Kirklees Metropolitan Council

Programme Delivery Office Administrator

Grade 9 £31,344 - £33,253 per annum
At Derbyshire, we have been on a journey to transform the way we deliver highway services to make them fit for the future Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Support Officer - Highways Asset Management Systems

£31,586 - £34,314
We are a forward-thinking organisation dedicated to maintaining and improving our highway infrastructure. Lincolnshire
Recruiter: Lincolnshire County Council

Principal Transport Planner (Strategy)

£46,731-£49,764
We are looking for an experienced professional to join North Northamptonshire Council as a Principal Transport Planner (Strategy). Sheerness House, 41 Meadow Road, Kettering moving to Haylock House, Kettering Parkway, Kettering NN15 6EY, United Kingdom
Recruiter: North Northamptonshire Council
SUBSCRIBE NOW

Latest Video

Subscribe to Highways today to ensure you keep your finger on the pulse of everything happening in the UK road network throughout the year.

SUBSCRIBE NOW