Motor vehicle traffic in Britain reached an all-time high in 2016, according to provisional figures from the Department for Transport.

Car traffic increased by 0.7% to a record 249.5 billion vehicle miles.

The full-year figures estimate a total of 320.5 billion vehicle miles were travelled on Britain’s roads in the year ending December 2016, up 1.2% on the previous year and 2% over the pre-recession peak in the year ending September 2007.

Compared to the previous year, car traffic increased by 0.7% to a record 249.5 billion vehicle miles while van traffic also continued to rise, increasing by 3.4% to a new peak of 48.5 billion vehicle miles. HGV traffic grew by 2.8% overall to 17.1 billion vehicle miles.

Traffic on motorways and rural ‘A’ roads increased to new record levels, rising by 2.1% and 2.5% respectively.

The report suggests the rise is partly due to the growth in the economy as well as lower fuel prices.

Road safety charity Brake said the figures should “give cause for alarm”.

Campaigns director Gary Rae commented: “These rises are not sustainable. Provisional estimates suggest that both ‘A’ roads and motorways experienced the highest level of vehicle traffic recorded; motorway traffic increased by 2.1% to 67.9 billion vehicle miles in 2016, continuing a long-term trend of increasing motorway traffic over the past six years.

“The figures are heading the wrong way and we’re heading for gridlock.”

The RAC’s public affairs spokesman Nick Lyes added: “While the Government has made progress in investing in the strategic road network, motorists will be unforgiving if the same attention isn’t given to local roads. These record figures show there is a lot of catching up to be done if we are going to keep motorists, and the economy moving.”

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