Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Israeli occupation army: A sergeant from the 614th Combat Engineering Battalion was killed in the northern Gaza Strip on Thursday.
Israeli media: The government has approved the agreement that includes the release of hostages and Palestinian detainees amid divisions within the ministerial council.
European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre: The earthquake hit at a depth of 58 kilometers, warning of potentially hazardous tsunami waves.
European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre: A 7.4-magnitude earthquake strikes the Mindanao region in the Philippines.
Cuban Foreign Ministry: The clear objective of this escalation is to overthrow the constitutional government of President Nicolás Maduro and install a Washington-aligned authority.
Cuban Foreign Ministry: We warn against the growing escalation by the United States against the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Venezuela's request comes in response to the escalation of aggression and the unprecedented US military deployment in the Caribbean.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Venezuelan government has officially requested an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Israeli artillery shells the northwest of Nuseirat Camp in central Gaza Strip.
Israeli media: The ceasefire has come into effect.

London maintains title as Europe's most congested city

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 6 Jan 2025 17:23
3 Min Read

London's traffic woes are attributed to its high population density and economic activity, which contribute to frequent delays.

Listen
  • x
  • Traffic and pedestrians on Oxford Street in London, Tuesday, September 17, 2024 (AP)
    Traffic and pedestrians on Oxford Street in London, Tuesday, September 17, 2024 (AP)

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

Related News

Tanker breakdown temporarily halts traffic in Turkiye's Bosphorus

China-Iran container trains relaunched at Aprin Dry Port

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.

Read more: In a first, NYC launches driver congestion charging amid opposition

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.

  • transportation
  • London
  • United Kingdom

Most Read

A Hamas fighter in combat fatigues stands before the ceremony for the handover of Israeli captives to the Red Cross in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, Saturday, February 22, 2025 (AP)

Hamas responds to Trump plan, backs Gaza withdrawal, exchange

  • Politics
  • 3 Oct 2025
Mossad’s secret role in Aldo Moro’s 1978 murder revealed

Mossad’s secret role in Aldo Moro’s 1978 murder exposed

  • Politics
  • 5 Oct 2025
The Palestinian resistance and the people of Gaza showed that after combating Israeli aggression for two years, they remain victorious in the face of oppression (Mahdi Rteil/Al Mayadeen English)

Al-Aqsa Flood two years on, a tale of victory

  • Politics
  • 6 Oct 2025
President Donald Trump walks from Marine One after arriving on the South Lawn of the White House, Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Trump sets record-low refugee cap in new immigration policy shift

  • Politics
  • 4 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
In Five

Read Next

All
Displaced Palestinians watch smoke rise after Israeli military strikes as they gather on the coastal road near Wadi Gaza, in the central Gaza Strip, Thursday, October 9, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Israeli occupation bombs Gaza home, killing 4 and wounding 9

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, right, visit the site of a shooting attack at a bus stop in al-Quds, Monday, September 8, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ben-Gvir warns will topple Netanyahu’s govt over Hamas

Head of Hamas in Gaza Khalil al-Hayya speaks during an interview with AP, in Istanbul, Turkey, Wednesday, April 24, 2024 (AP)
Politics

Deal reached for permanent Gaza ceasefire, end to war: Al-Hayya

Yemeni Ansar Allah leader Sayyed Abdul-Malik al-Houthi during his speech on Thursday, Ocotber 9, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)
Politics

Sayyed al-Houthi: Yemen on alert as Gaza ceasefire takes effect

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS