Drivers see motorways slow to 56mph as UK roads hit with worst level of delays and traffic

Due to the slowdown, some motorways now see speeds drop to as low as 56.5mph instead of the national speed limit of 70mph. This is a drop from 58.8mph recorded in 2016.

But the decrease in speeds has caused worry among experts with the RAC warning that figures remain slightly below pre-pandemic levels.

Simon Williams, head of policy at the RAC said: “This latest data appears to show that right across England, average speeds on major roads are down and delays are up, both year on year and compared to before Covid.

“While an increase in traffic volumes is no doubt a factor in delays increasing, it can’t be the only cause so we suspect other factors are likely to be contributing, whether that is roadworks or just traffic snarling up at known pinch points.

“Whatever the cause, delays can be frustrating and costly so we look forward to further details from the Government about where it is focusing its road spending for the duration of this Parliament.”

The drop in speed also comes as reports revealed that drivers in London spend roughly four days in traffic a year the highest amount on record.

The report, from Inrix, detailed how drivers spent an average of 99 hours sitting in traffic in 2023, three per cent higher than pre-pandemic levels and up from 97 hours in 2022.

Due to the high levels of traffic seen in the capital, London was ranked as the most congested city in Europe for the third year in a row.

Bob Pishue, transportation analyst and author of the report at Inrix, said: “We are seeing travel return to pre-Covid levels. The UK and Europe have seen smaller increases in congestion this year than in other parts of the world which indicates that these countries have found their new travel norms.”

He explained that while London remains “most impacted” by congestion in the UK, its drop to third worldwide suggests that other large global cities have returned to pre-Covid levels of activity.

A spokesperson for National Highways explained: “We know delays are frustrating but a number of factors contribute to slower-moving traffic. The make-up of vehicles on the road is changing with more HGVs and larger vehicles together with fewer cars. This brings average speeds down."

The spokesperson added that roadworks are only in place "where it is absolutely necessary". They said: "Our programme of improvements will result in long term benefits for motorists – shorter and more reliable journeys as well as safer and smoother roads. This work will help boost the economy.”

The DfT data also found that road level figures were the most impacted of all the breakdowns shown with overall decreases in delays and increases in speed.

Delays decreased the most on rural links and increased most around urban areas with speed and delay changes at road link levels finding a two per cent increase in speed and 4.7 pere cent per cent decrease in delay for 2023.

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The Department stated: "On local ‘A’ roads for the year ending June 2024, the average delay is estimated to be 45.7 seconds per vehicle per mile compared to free flow. The average speed is estimated to be 23.6 mph for the year ending June 2024, down 0.9 per cent on year ending June 2023."

The data release comes as drivers experience severe delays on several of its road network due to National Highways work taking place.

The latest projects includes Junction 10 of the M25 being closed from 9pm on Fridays to 6am on Mondays on the weekends of October 4, October 18, and November 1. The move will see traffic diverted through London routes.