nationalhighways.co.uk Reviews 74

We had a blow out on the M40 yesterday and found it very stressful with the traffic so close even though we had moved away from the car. We called the AA and while waiting two traffic officers(9433-Callum and 9083 Kelly) stopped to help us and make source we were ok. They gave us rain ponchos too. They phoned the AA again for us to give a more accurate position of our car. The AA were fantastic too and came within the hour to replace the tyre with a temporary one and followed us to a garage 25 mins away where we had it replaced. The traffic officers had meanwhile phoned us back to check we had been helped. All in all very happy with all the support we had in a difficult situation. Many thanks
Penny and Steve

15/052026 10pm
Last night I was bringing my son home from hospital with my husband and a fuse blew that took the lights from the car . We managed to stop on the hard shoulder just past J21 M5. The highway patrol vehicle stopped and escorted us to a safer place and helped above and beyond staying over an hour later than his shift speaking to RAC to prioritise our recovery due to my son’s condition.
Lewis you are an exceptional young man and a real asset to the team of the Highway Patrol Service. Thank you again for your help and concern.

I’m sharing this based on my direct experience working as a contractor on roadworks managed by National Highways.

After completing work on a section of road, I left the site in my vehicle. Due to a clear lack of signage indicating that roadworks were still ongoing, I reasonably believed the works had ended. However, around 1–2 miles further ahead, I noticed flashing beacons and immediately realised the restriction was still in place. I slowed down and adjusted my driving accordingly.

Shortly after, I was stopped by a member of National Highways staff. Instead of handling the situation professionally, the individual was extremely aggressive — shouting, speaking in a disrespectful tone, and refusing to listen to a calm explanation. I made it clear this was a genuine mistake caused by poor signage, but the response remained hostile and completely disproportionate.

What followed was even more concerning: I was later informed that I had been banned from working on National Highways projects for life. For a single, non-deliberate incident — one influenced by inadequate road signage — this feels excessive and unjust.

Professionalism, communication, and fair judgment should be standard, especially from those managing public infrastructure and contractor relations. Based on this experience, there appears to be a serious lack of all three.

After reading other reviews, I can see this may not be an isolated case. That is worrying.

Why bother putting a closing date on recruitment advert and then close it a day early.
Useless rubbish company.

I had the unfortunate and scary experience of my car breaking down on the motorway (m27) which is currently subject to ongoing "smart" motorway road works. There was a line on tightly packed cones to my left, no hard shoulder and I was unable to pull over as this would have sent cones across the motorway and into the cars following at speed behind me. I applied my hazard lights and looked for a safe place to pull over. At this time, I had about 10 cars behind me so I could not stop dead as I would have caused a pile up. I managed to get off the motorway, where I could safely come to a stop. All this took less than 30 seconds for me to process and not risk the health and safety of other drivers. I was charged £200 by the Highways Agency, which I have disputed as I had already arranged for recovery and not to inconvenience anyone for my mishap. Norman from the Highways Agency told me that I should of stopped in the lane of the motorway (already reduced by a lane) at rush hour, inconveniencing all other drivers to cause hours long tailbacks and potential accidents instead of stopping where I had (the safest place to pull over). To cause additional insult to the situation, he tried to explain that the Highways Agency is probably running at a loss, he thanked me for my commendable efforts plus actions taken and then hung the phone up. Highway Robbery not Highways Agency.

A bunch of useless clowns … cause problems / traffic jams when there is no need to set variable speed limits to 40 when the motorway is empty… just cheap labour wannabes….

Started course in morton marsh. Useless trainers useless course a hole people on course. Never in all my life

Claim rejected by Chris Curtis. They have neglected areas of road on the M1 which is dangerous and unfit for use resulting in a damaged alloy wheel, bulging tyre, unaligned tracking and money out of my pocket. Not even offered to contribute towards my costs. The defect in the road was repaired within 24 hours after I had reported it… says it all! Declare your own guilt why don’t you! Disgraceful.

Reassuring Help! Thank you.

Today I was left stranded on the M27 for over 6 hours by AA.
HIGHWAYS called AA on my behalf and explained we needed a recovery truck.
Throughout my 6 hour ordeal they kept in contact with me. They showed care and compassion as well as reassurance that they were there if needed.
Shame AA didn’t!!
Thank you Highways agent call handlers and patrol officer.

Excellent website and A1 support when you 'phone at anytime. From recent experience of having to get regular updates on A3/M25 works - a major project by any measure.

I just heard a National Highways advertisement on the radio. HGV safety cited.

The advert pronounced the letter H as “haitch”. Incorrect. It is “aitch”. It is incorrect to pronounce the letter with an “h” at the beginning. Is it any wonder our standards as a country are so poor when our own tax payer funded government departments cannot speak English properly? What a disgrace. Please fire whomever is responsible for this dumbing down of our country and hire people with standards and a good education.

How national highways handled the traffic at an accident on the A1 at Newark was appalling. Accident happen early hours off the morning no junction closures to divert traffic until 8am then instead of reversing the traffic closest to the junction they started moving the traffic at the other end to squeeze through all the lorrys .. bad management..

Disgusting company that allowed loads of birds to die.

Here's an idea. TURN THE DAMN WARNING SIGNS OFF WHEN THERE ARE NO PROBLEMS!!!!!! I drive 1500 miles a week and absolutely sick and tired of you morons leaving the warning signs activated when there is no longer any issues. Its dangerous for a start. Do your jobs of go to another job ffs

Why after a accident you cannot pull the cars off the carriage way like the old days and last week a car broken down on m25 and the traffic officers could not tow in off the motorway the police used to just tow you but highways england closes a lane and cause massive traffic jams and closes lane 5 miles before an accident that's why people drives in red x

I have contacted National Highways multiple times to get information and make reports, the staff are always polite and explain well what will be happening during planned work.

50 mph restriction on the M1, northbound around Nottingham. At 11pm on Saturday night. No roadworks, no crashes, no closed lanes, no issues. Absolutely useless.

I had a flat tyre on the M1 by Newport Pagnell Services and two officers (7866 & 8879) were extremely helpful in getting me back on the road. They arrived within minutes of me pulling up in the SOS spot and even checked in with me via phone later on. Before getting back on the road I had problems starting my car and they were happy to come back to me again and instruct me on what to do. They were extremely supportive and professional in everything they did, and although it was extremely stressful for me, they helped me feel less anxious.

Not sure if I am on the right forum but just wanted to say that the A303 ILMINSTER BYPASS is a deathtrap. Oncoming traffic at 70mph only separated by a white line.
This is criminal road planning and I note three people lost their lives earlier this year when their car drifted into oncoming traffic.
At the very least there should be a 40mph speed limit and a safety barrier separating the east and westbound traffic.
I am incredulous at how this road design could be acceptable to anyone, let alone highway planners.

I had a flat tyre on the motorway slip road and was in quite a panicked and overwhelmed state. Andrew and Keith from National Highways were absolute lifesavers. They arrived quickly, calmed me down, and made me feel safe and reassured throughout the whole experience.

They stayed with me until the tyre company arrived and even had to close a lane to make sure everything was safe. They were so kind, calm, and professional — genuinely went above and beyond. I honestly don’t know what I would’ve done without them.

Thank you so much, Andrew and Keith — true heroes in high-vis!

— Kirsty Taylor