UK roads 'becoming less congested'

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24/04/13

By James O'Brien

Congestion on Britain's roads is improving but traffic jams in the country remain among the worst in Europe, a survey by Inrix shows.

The traffic information company's research has revealed a typical UK driver spent 29 hours sat in traffic in 2012, with only motorists in Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and France suffering more.

However, tight household budgets contributed towards 19 per cent less congestion in Britain last year compared with 2011, with significant drops throughout Europe, too.

Inrix chief executive Bryan Mistele: "There has always been strong correlation between the state of the economy and the level of traffic congestion on our roads.

"It tells us if people are employed and driving to work, going out to eat or doing some shopping, as well as whether or not businesses are shipping products."

Commuters in London were particularly hit by congestion in 2012. Drivers in the capital typically spent 72 hours waiting for traffic to clear. It was, however, an improvement on the 2011 figure of 79 hours.

London was third on the list of the worst European cities for congestion last year. Motorists were stuck in traffic jams for 83 hours on average in Brussels, with Antwerp's mean of 77 hours making it a Belgian one-two.

Greater Manchester came second to only London in the UK with 43 hours, despite a year-on-year drop of 17 per cent. Merseyside came next with a figure of 37 hours, followed by South Nottinghamshire with 32 hours and Greater Belfast with 31 hours.

There was a significant drop in congestion in Tyne and Wear in 2012, down 38 per cent to an average of 24 hours. Drivers in Glasgow also benefited from improved conditions after a 32 per cent fall to 21 hours.

Inrix's survey indicates traffic patterns have continued in the first few months of this year. Congestion in Britain fell by 11 per cent in the opening quarter compared with the same period in 2012.

In other major European nations, congestion dropped by 23 per cent in the first quarter, with a significant 57 per cent decrease in traffic in Spain.