Slowing down
Average speeds in the UK continue to slow down
In case you haven’t noticed, traffic on England’s main roads is slowing.
The average speed is expected to fall to 55mph in 2025, down from 59mph a decade ago.
A PwC report attributes this 6.8% decline since 2015 to rising congestion.
The economy stupid
This traffic jam trend poses a challenge for Sir Keir Starmer’s government, which sees traffic delays as a barrier to economic growth.
Congestion hampers productivity, raises business costs, and raises household travel expenses.
The slowdown is driven by factors such as increased freight traffic, the rise of electric vans, and the construction of ‘smart’ motorways.
Up and down
Although speeds briefly increased during the 2020 lockdown, the trend reversed as online shopping boosted freight demand, and more businesses switched to smaller, electric vehicles to meet net-zero targets.
Roadworks have also risen in number and duration, mainly for smart motorways, which aim to improve traffic flow by using the hard shoulder.
However, public confidence in these ‘smart motorway’ projects declined after several crashes and failing camera and warning systems.
In 2023, the government halted new ‘smart’ motorway plans.
Delivering stress
The increase in remote working post-pandemic has shifted traffic patterns, spreading congestion across the week rather than concentrating it on Mondays and Fridays.
At the same time, businesses are reducing their HGV fleets in favour of electric vans and adding more vehicles to the roads.
This is an increasing congestion problem in urban areas.
Covering the cracks
The government has committed £1.6bn to fix potholes and is exploring ways to ease congestion, such as extending lane rental schemes and fining companies for delayed roadworks.
However, critics argue that scrapping major projects like the A303 Stonehenge tunnel risks hindering economic growth.
A UK manufacturer report warns that underinvestment in infrastructure could hold back productivity.
While ministers are focused on improving existing roads, some believe that more ambitious road-building projects are needed to support long-term growth.
Deep breaths
The government’s focus on maintaining infrastructure rather than expanding it continues to spark debate.
For environmentalists, public transport solutions offer the most sensible way forward.
Not only does it reduce emissions, but it also cuts down congestion.
This is a key route in government thinking, though both the rail and bus networks are also struggling and require major investments.
In the meantime, the roads get busier, congestion increases, and that only adds to pollution levels and negatively affects commercial productivity and the wider economy.