Traffic volumes near post-crash peak, DfT says economic growth fuels increase

Traffic is on the up, and slowing, which the DfT says shows the link between economic growth and car journeys

Traffic is on the up, and slowing, which the DfT says shows the link between economic growth and car journeys

The volume of motor vehicle traffic was four per cent higher than the same period last year and the highest quarterly volume since the 2008 peak, according to the DfT.

The quarter one 2014 estimate of 78.5 billion vehicle miles represents the highest quarterly volume of traffic estimated since the peak of 2008. The DfT statistical publication said: "This suggests that economic growth may be contributing to the continued upward trend in traffc volumes." Longer term, traffic volumes have grown by 20.5% since 1994, the publication points out.

Meanwhile, the average speed of traffic has fallen over the last two years, according to a second statistical publication. The average speed of morning peak traffic on local A roads in the year to March 2014 was 24.6mph, 0.5% down on the year ending December 2013.

The statistics come in a week that MPs have called on the DfT to open up its national transport model, and its prediction that traffic will increase by 46% over the next 26 years, to greater scrutiny.