Congestion on UK roads is worse now than it has been for more than 10 years, according to a survey by the Freight Transport Association. The Quarterly Transport Activity Survey illustrated the rate of deterioration in reliability on the road network at 55 per cent – the lowest since 2002, due to increased traffic in the run-up to Christmas.
Results from more than 100 logistics operators surveyed are seen as an indication of the impact of the increase in domestic road freight activity levels.
SMMT Commercial Vehicle Development Manager Nigel Base commented, “While we welcome the economic growth that increased road freight brings, congestion is a major issue that is only going to worsen if the steps needed to address it aren’t stringently adhered to. We will keep up pressure on the government to improve the standards of the UK road network generally and deliver on its five-year commitment to invest in new motorway lanes and trunk roads – on time.”
Most industry sectors are expecting robust growth in domestic road freight activity in most regions, in the first quarter of 2015.