Investment key to easing congestion on UK’s road network

The costs of traffic congestion are forecast to rise faster in the UK than in France, Germany and the US, with Londoners particularly badly affected, according to research published on Tuesday.

The Centre for Economics and Business Research and Inrix, a traffic information provider, found that the cost of congestion to the London economy was $8.5bn in 2013, and would rise to $14.5bn in 2030. The cumulative cost over that period would be more than $200bn.

RAC spokesman Simon Williams said: “A strong economy requires a strong infrastructure to support it and the UK’s road network is obviously a vital part of that infrastructure supporting some 304 billion vehicle miles a year.

“Everybody who drives, for pleasure or business, is well aware of the scale of congestion on our roads, and the issue is the volume of traffic negotiating parts of the network which are simply outdated and unable to cope.

“The Mayor of London announced a £4bn programme of investment in the capital’s road network earlier this year, which alongside the Government’s promised £28bn investment in England’s roads as part of its Action for Roads, should make a significant impact on congestion.

“In addition the Highways Agency’s £317million pinch point programme across England should also work to improve some of the worst bottlenecks causing congestion and costing businesses every day.

“By delivering smaller scale improvements to these roads it is hoped congestion will be relieved which will in turn improve road safety and provide a welcome boost to the economy.

“It is clearly good news for motorists that nearly half of these schemes have already been completed as we know traffic congestion is a concern for 21% of motorists surveyed in the RAC’s Report on Motoring 2014 – a 3% increase on the 2013 figure of 18%. It was the top concern for 6% of drivers.”