New Department for Transport information shows that road traffic rose 2.2% in 2015.

The provisional figure of 317.8 billion vehicle miles travelled on GB roads in 2015 is the highest rolling annual total ever and 1.1% higher than the pre-recession peak in the year ending September 2007.

The figures show that:

• Car traffic increased by 1.7% to 248.6 billion vehicle miles, very slightly above the pre-recession.
• Van traffic continued to rise faster than any other vehicle type, increasing by 6.1% to a new peak of 47.7 billion vehicle miles.
• HGV traffic rose on motorways and rural ‘A’ roads, but fell on urban ‘A roads.
• All road classes experienced a rise, apart from Urban ‘A’ road traffic which remained at the same level.
• Motorway traffic increased by 2.4% to 65.8 billion vehicle miles, the highest ever level.
• Minor rural road traffic increased the most of any road type, rising 5.2% to 45.8 billion vehicle miles

As a result of the increased congestion, average speeds continued to decline.

The average speed on local ‘A’ roads in England during the weekday morning peak in the year ending December 2015 was 23.4mph. This is a 0.7% decrease on the year ending September 2015.

Average speeds on local ‘A’ roads in England were slower in each month from October to December 2015, with decreases of 2.3%, 3.0% and 2.9% respectively, compared to the same months in 2014.

RAC chief engineer David Bizley said: “Government figures show there has been an increase in traffic in line with a rise in the country’s business output (GDP) so slower average speeds appear to be the downside for motorists. The Government is investing in major roads and has ring-fenced car tax income to continue the investment beyond 2020, but the evidence suggests the condition of local roads is still in need of extra investment.”