Traffic delays are returning to pre-Covid levels and even overtaking them across many UK urban centres, impacting commuters.

A total 72% (79 of the 110) of the UK urban areas analysed met or exceeded pre-Covid delays in 2022

Research by mobility analytics firm Inrix Inc found 72% (79 of the 110) of the UK urban areas analysed have met or exceeded pre-Covid delays – and it’s warning that action is needed to limit the impact on both economic recovery and drivers’ lives.

Its research for 2022 identified and ranked congestion and mobility trends for commuting in more than 1,000 cities, across 50 countries.

London, for the second year in a row, topped the Traffic Scorecard with drivers losing 156 hours sitting in congestion, 5% above pre-pandemic delays. The average driver there spent £1,377 due to lost time from congestion in 2022.

This was followed by Bristol (£805 lost time) and Manchester (£742 lost time).

Overall, the average driver in the UK lost 80 hours due to traffic congestion in 2022; up by seven hours increase on 2021, but down 35 hours from 2019.

Bob Pishue, transportation analyst and author of the report, said: “It is great to see civic and commercial life returning to normal, but unfortunately, we’re seeing congestion inching closer to, if not exceeding, pre-pandemic levels. We must manage congestion while improving mobility and accessibility in cities to avoid it hurting economic recovery and impacting the quality of life of commuters and residents.”

The Inrix research also shows that high oil prices impacted drivers alongside lost time; nationally, Brits spent an additional £122 more at the pump to commute while the annual cost of fueling a vehicle for the average commuter in London rose by more than £212.

Breaking down the data on congestion further, the top five most congested UK corridors were all found in the capital. London’s most congested corridor was the A219 S/B from A304 Fulham Road to A297 Morden Hall Road, which saw drivers lose 47 hours in 2022. Outside of London, the busiest corridor was in Birmingham – the A45 E/B from Bordesley Circus to Henry Road – which cost drivers 37 hours.

Inrix also revealed the top five most congested cities in the world, topped by London (156 hours) and followed by Chicago (155 hours), Paris (138 hours), Boston (134 hours) and New York (117 hours). Across the globe, the impact of relaxed Covid-19 restrictions was widely seen in 2022 and in fact London’s 5% increase was dwarfed by other top 10 cities including Chicago (49%), Boston (72%) and New York City (15%).