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UK drivers spend 30 hours a year stuck in traffic

The latest Traffic Scorecard Report from INRIX, a leading provider of real-time traffic information and connected driving services, also finds that the UK climbed one place to take the fifth spot for the worst traffic in Europe in 2014, although UK motorists spent 21 fewer hours in traffic than those in Belgium, Europe’s most congested country, where drivers spent 51 hours stuck in gridlock in 2014.

And London was Europe’s most congested city in 2014, with drivers spending 96 hours in traffic. A 10-mile stretch of the A217 in London was found to be the most congested road, costing drivers 139 hours.

However, the biggest increases in congestion were seen in North Staffordshire (+37%) and Greater Coventry (+33%) where drivers sat idle in traffic for 26 and 28 hours respectively.

The company said the rise in traffic is down to the UK’s growing economy, which grew by 2.8%, its highest rise since 2006 and faster than any other major developed country. In addition, population growth and urbanisation played key roles.

Garrett Emmerson, Transport for London’s chief operating officer for surface transport, added: “London’s continued success has made it one of the world’s most popular cities in which to live, work and visit, which also makes it one of the busiest.”

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Natalie Middleton

Natalie has worked as a fleet journalist for over 20 years, previously as assistant editor on the former Company Car magazine before joining Fleet World in 2006. Prior to this, she worked on a range of B2B titles, including Insurance Age and Insurance Day.