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UK City Road Speeds: INRIX 2024 Traffic Scorecard

The INRIX 2024 Global Traffic Scorecard provides a comprehensive analysis of traffic congestion across the United Kingdom, highlighting significant variations among urban areas.

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National Overview

On average, UK drivers lost 62 hours due to traffic congestion in 2024, a slight increase from 61 hours in 2023. This congestion resulted in an average cost of £581 per driver, contributing to a nationwide economic impact of £7.7 billion, an increase of £200 million compared to the previous year.

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Urban Area Rankings

The table below outlines the ten most congested urban areas in the UK for 2024, along with their respective hours lost, year-over-year delay changes, cost per driver, total cost per city, and average downtown speeds:

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2024 Rank (2023 Rank)Urban AreaHours Lost (2023)Delay ChangeCost per DriverTotal Cost per CityDowntown Speed (mph)

1 (1)London101 (99)+2%£942£3.85 billion13

2 (3)Bristol65 (62)+5%£606£125 million17

3 (4)Leeds60 (59)+2%£560£204 million19

4 (8)Manchester61 (54)+13%£570£129 million17

5 (6)Bath68 (67)+1%£634£26 million15

6 (2)Birmingham54 (60)-10%£504£300 million20

7 (5)Wigan57 (61)-7%£532£87 million18

8 (7)Chelmsford59 (60)-2%£550£46 million22

9 (11)Sheffield53 (52)+2%£494£133 million18

 

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Notable Trends

  • London: Maintained its position as the most congested city in Europe, with drivers losing an average of 101 hours in traffic, a 2% increase from 2023. The economic impact amounted to £3.85 billion, averaging £942 per driver.

  • Manchester: Experienced a significant 13% increase in congestion, moving from the 8th to the 4th most congested UK city.

  • Birmingham: Saw a 10% reduction in congestion, dropping from 2nd to 6th place in the rankings.

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Congested Corridors

Specific roadways contributed notably to congestion:

  • London: The westbound A40 between the North Circular and the A406 during the 5:00 PM peak hour resulted in an additional 17 minutes of travel time daily, totalling 68 hours annually.

  • Bristol: The eastbound A420 from the Lawrence Hill Roundabout to Hollow Road at 4:00 PM caused drivers to lose about 5 minutes daily, equating to 21 hours annually.

 

Contributing Factors

The report attributes London's persistent congestion to its dense population, employment opportunities, and economic activities. Additionally, roadworks, such as those at the M25 Wisely Interchange, have exacerbated traffic delays.

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Mitigation Efforts

Transport for London remains committed to enhancing mobility by investing in sustainable transportation options, including walking, cycling, and public transit, to alleviate congestion.

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In summary, the INRIX 2024 Global Traffic Scorecard underscores the ongoing challenges of traffic congestion in the UK, particularly in major urban areas, highlighting the need for continued investment in infrastructure and sustainable transportation solutions.

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