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
Occupied Palestine: Israeli occupation forces demolishe residential homes east of Khan Younis city in the southern Gaza Strip
Al Mayadeen correspondent: An Israeli drone attacked the main road in the town of Harouf, South Lebanon.
Lebanese President: Israeli aggression on Blida took place in aftermath of meeting of ceasefire monitoring committee.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun asks Commander of Lebanese Army to confront any Israeli incursion into liberated Lebanese territory in the South.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Israeli aircraft launch series of strikes on area of Jarmaq, South Lebanon.
Reuters: Afghanistan and Pakistan agree to restart peace talks in Istanbul.
Al-Mayadeen's correspondent in southern Lebanon: Israeli occupation forces withdraw from the Blida municipality building two hours after occupying it, and the Lebanese army enters
Pakistani army: 6 soldiers and 7 militants killed in clash near the Afghan border
Israeli media: Sirens sound in the settlement of Kerem Shalom in the Gaza envelope area
Afghan source to Al Mayadeen: We still believe in dialogue and prioritize diplomatic solutions with Pakistan; though we are ready for all possibilities.

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

Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

  • Politics
  • 27 Oct 2025
Hi-tech holocaust: Microsoft’s role in Gaza genocide

Microsoft's role in world’s first AI-driven genocide, in Gaza, exposed

  • Technology
  • 28 Oct 2025
What Marr evidently didn't seem to understand was that Hedges isn't saying that Western journalists manipulate the truth, but that they systematically amplify Israeli narratives they know are false. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)

Western journalists know they have a case to answer for their betrayal of Gaza, and it frightens them

  • Opinion
  • 24 Oct 2025
Sheikh Naim Qassem speaks during an interview with Al-Manar TV, October 26, 2025 (Screenshot)

Hezbollah ready to face 'Israel' in case of war: Sheikh Naim Qassem

  • Politics
  • 27 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
ap
Politics

Hamas calls on int’l community to act against Israeli settlement plan

In this Nov. 9, 2017, file photo, U.S. President Donald Trump, right, chats with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. (AP)
Economy

Ex-US diplomat says Trump-Xi deal 'tactical retreat', not lasting deal

An unarmed Minuteman II intercontinental ballistic missile launches from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, during a test in 2002. (US Air Force)
Politics

JD Vance defends Trump's nuclear test plan as 'crucial for security'

Ultra-Orthodox Jews attend the "million man" protest against military conscription, in occupied al-Quds, October 30, 2025 (AFP)
Politics

Haredi mass rally in al-Quds exposes Zionist regime's growing crisis

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