THE UK’S most congested areas where you’re highly likely to get stuck in traffic have been revealed – with Surrey taking the top spot.
The new research, which was calculated by looking at the total volume of all vehicle traffic miles, the number of licensed vehicles, and the annual average daily flow of traffic in 2023, shows the places across the country that are particularly frustrating for drivers.
Surrey takes the top spot in the list of UK areas with the most traffic congestion[/caption]
Experts at traffic plan software Traffic Chart have given each local authority an overall score out of 100[/caption]
Experts at traffic plan software Traffic Chart gave each factor a score out of 10 and an overall score out of 100; this was tallied for each local authority.
They had Surrey topping the table, with a total index score of 88.70 out of 100.
The data shows that the county had 802,236 licensed vehicles, which spent a total of 8.448 billion miles in traffic in 2023.
Surrey had an annual average daily flow of 8,968.
Essex was the second-most impacted by traffic, with an index score of 84.26.
The area reported 9.686 billion traffic miles in 2023; it had a total of 1,003,293 licensed vehicles and an annual average daily flow of 5,116.
In third was Hampshire, with an overall index score of 82.93.
The total volume of the county’s 2023 traffic miles was 9.472 billion; there were 1,145,649 licensed vehicles, and the area had an annual average daily flow of 4,601.
Ranking fourth was Kent, which had an index score of 81.38.
The area had 1,004,482 vehicles, which generated 9.383 billion traffic miles in 2023, and an annual average daily flow of 4,417.
Warwickshire rounded out the top five, with a total index score of 80.78 out of 100.
There were 6.076 billion traffic miles reported from all vehicles in the local authority for 2023; the number of licensed vehicles reached 423,280, and the annual average daily flow amounted to 6,186.
The top 10 was completed by Leeds (80.06), South Gloucestershire (78.98), Birmingham (78.58), Lancashire (78.40) and Hillingdon (76.19).
Martijn Hulshof, founder of Traffic Chart, said: “Traffic congestion is a significant issue in the UK for drivers and passengers, particularly in densely populated areas such as Surrey and Essex.
“These counties are known for their high levels of commuter traffic, as they serve as vital links between London and the neighbouring suburbs where many professionals live.
“As a result of its proximity to London, Surrey sees a considerable influx of vehicles during peak hours, especially on major routes such as the M25 and the A3.
“The combination of residential developments and businesses in this area contributes to the heavy traffic, leading to longer travel times for residents.
“In Essex, the situation is similarly challenging.
“The county’s extensive road network, including the A12 and A13, often experiences congestion, particularly during rush hour.
“The growth of towns such as Chelmsford and Basildon has increased the number of inhabitants travelling to London and other employment hubs, making traffic worse.
“Additionally, Essex’s location near the River Thames and its various crossings can create bottlenecks, further complicating the flow of traffic.
“While there is no way to completely avoid traffic, there are ways to prepare yourself.
“You can do this by allowing plenty of time for travel, being aware of traffic reports, and if necessary, planning around expected congestion.”
