The worst A-road in England has been branded as such by motorists, with over 9,500 drivers surveyed by Transport Focus expressing their dissatisfaction with the A12's performance. Only 64% of those polled said they were satisfied with the 118.8-mile route, which connects London to Lowestoft via Essex and Suffolk, managed by National Highways.
Jay Skargon, a pet shop owner from Ipswich, described his daily commute on the A12 as a "nightmare", citing persistent traffic jams and accidents. He blamed inconsistent speeds and unnecessary braking among drivers for exacerbating congestion. Fellow commuter George Foster, a plasterer from near Ipswich, shared similar concerns, highlighting how delays frequently leave him late for work, particularly around Copdock roundabout.
Businesses too are feeling the strain of A12 delays. Tim Wray, managing director of Multimodal Logistics Ltd in Felixstowe, said increased traffic volumes have outgrown the road's capacity since 1987, with routine hold-ups causing significant hardship for his freight company.
National Highways insists it is committed to ensuring "the highest levels of safety while minimising disruption" on the A12. However, many drivers feel the road is no longer fit for purpose given its current volume of traffic. One long-time user described smooth journeys as a rare treat, lamenting the "wasted life hours" spent stuck in traffic.
Improvement plans are underway: the government has reaffirmed its commitment to upgrading a section of the A12 near Ipswich with a £63 million scheme, while developers working on Sizewell C nuclear power plant have carried out safety upgrades at nearby junctions. Jacqueline Day, 57, praised improvements at Saxmundham roundabout but acknowledged drivers' frustration with ongoing roadworks.