London has once again been named the most traffic-congested city in Europe, with drivers spending an average of 101 hours stuck in traffic over the past year, according to new data from Inrix, a transportation analytics firm. This represents a slight increase of 2% from the previous year, continuing a trend of worsening congestion in recent years.

The A40 Westway topped the list as the UK's most gridlocked road, with rush hour between 5 pm and 6 pm being its most chaotic time. Paris and Dublin followed London in Europe's congestion rankings, with drivers in Paris losing 97 hours and those in Dublin 81 hours in traffic last year.

Inrix estimates the economic impact of London's gridlock at a staggering £3.85 billion annually, equivalent to £942 per driver among the city's four million motorists. The firm used data from various sources, including mobile devices and vehicle tracking systems, to produce the report.

Regional differences

Other UK cities experienced varied levels of traffic delays. Bristol and Leeds ranked as the second and third most congested cities, with 65 and 60 hours lost, respectively. Manchester saw a 13% increase in delays year-on-year but still ranked below Leeds due to its relative size. Birmingham, however, saw improvement, dropping to sixth place after traffic flow improved by 10% compared to the previous year.

Bob Pishue, an Inrix transportation analyst and author of the report, explained, "While the UK did see a slight increase in congestion again this year, overall congestion has remained steady. Roadworks in key corridors such as the M25 Wisley interchange caused considerable traffic on a main artery into the capital. Interestingly it was cities outside of the capital that saw the greatest increase in congestion, with Manchester seeing a large increase, up 13%. While London only had a modest increase in time lost, it still represented half of the entire country's delay."

Gridlock Chronicles

London's traffic woes are attributed to its high population density and economic activity, which contribute to frequent delays. A spokesperson for Transport for London (TfL) acknowledged the challenges, stating, "We are committed to making sure Londoners can move around the capital as safely, sustainably and efficiently as possible. We support the movement of everyone across London and our investment in walking, cycling and public transport is making it easier to choose sustainable ways of travelling, helping to cut congestion." 

The spokesperson added that TfL continues to invest in programs aimed at improving road efficiency, particularly on red route roads, which carry a third of London's traffic.

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Traffic congestion has long been a defining feature of the capital. Historical records, such as Samuel Pepys' diary in 1661, recount significant delays, and authors like Evelyn Waugh have used the city's gridlock as a literary metaphor. Proposed solutions, like the controversial 1960s "box" motorway plan that would have demolished parts of inner London, faced public opposition and were ultimately abandoned.

Despite efforts to encourage sustainable travel options and improve road infrastructure, London remains emblematic of the challenges posed by urban congestion. With gridlock costing billions each year, the question of how to keep the city moving efficiently persists.