Skip advert
Advertisement

Traffic jams cost economy £9 billion a year

The UK's worst traffic jams revealed in a new study, as the Government recommends using slip roads as contraflows in the future

traffic

The UK’s worst traffic jams have been revealed in a new study that found tailbacks cost the economy £9 billion a year.

Research by traffic analysts Inrix shows drivers encountered 1.35 million traffic jams in the UK in 2016, accounting to over 3,700 every day. The estimated costs are calculated as a result of wasted time, fuel economy and pollution. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

• London is Europe's worst city for traffic congestion

The worst traffic jam occurred on 4 August on the M5 in Somerset after two lorries collided. The 36-mile tailback took workers 15 hours to clear and was estimated to cost £2.4 million. Other big accidents included three separate incidents on the M6 between November last year and April this year. Each of the incidents caused at least seven hours of delays, with the worst – occurring on Junction 32 on 13 December causing 10 hours of disruption.

The Government is said to be demanding highways agencies work quicker to reduce delays caused by accidents on motorways and A-roads. According to a letter seen by The Times from transport minister Jesse Norman to Highways England, the Government is now urging agencies to consider using sliproads as contraflows to clear traffic quicker among other solutions. 

In the letter, following an incident on the M3, transport minister Norman said that he wanted to “ensure that disruption to motorists and communities is minimized during and after events such as this.”

He added: “A particular feature shown in the media was the availability of empty slip roads, and I would be interested to know whether you considered if these could be used as contraflow to move traffic off the motorway.”

Highways England said it cleared 85 per cent of motorway and A-road incidents within the hour. 

What's the longest traffic jam you've been stuck in? Tell us in the comments below... 

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New electric car MoT tests could be coming to the UK
Tesla Model X on two-post inspection ramp

New electric car MoT tests could be coming to the UK

New technology and driver assistance systems require changes to annual testing, says EC
News
25 Apr 2025
Chinese cars can’t match their European rivals when it comes to engineering
Opinion - Shanghai Auto Show

Chinese cars can’t match their European rivals when it comes to engineering

This new brand of cars might have battery tech on their side, but European buyers want much more than that
Opinion
25 Apr 2025
Car Deal of the Day: the one and only Nissan Juke for less than £150 per month
Nissan Juke - left cornering

Car Deal of the Day: the one and only Nissan Juke for less than £150 per month

Nissan’s best-selling small SUV just got a little bit cheaper and is our Deal of the Day for 26 April
News
26 Apr 2025