London congestion to get worse before it gets better

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The last few months have not proved easy for those who drive in Central London.

Congestion seems to be never ending with the combination of roadworks, cycling superhighways and public space alterations as well as the occasional road traffic accident.

Traffic intelligence experts INRIX have provided supporting evidence of the increasing congestion however if you travel in London you probably already knew this.

So what did they find out?  – At Elephant & Castle last year in morning rush hour the average speed was 14.9mph. Today, the average speed is 11.4mph.

Elephant & Castle

AM 2014: 14.9mph

AM 2015: 11.4mph = down 23%

PM 2014: 12.6mph

PM 2015: 9.1mph = down 27%

Embankment was not looking much better with speeds down by 30%. It is clear that the partially open East-West cycle super highway is causing further delays to traffic.

Embankment

AM 2014: 21.4mph

AM 2015: 14.8mph = down 30%

PM 2014: 17.5mph

PM 2015: 9.1mph = down 48%

(Data is based on the morning and early-evening peaks from a Thursday to a Wednesday, including the first half of a half-term week 22-28-October 2014 vs 21-27-October 2015).

Data analyst Greg Hallsworth at INRIX says: “With average speeds dropping by nearly half in the Embankment area and drivers’ speeds decreasing by a quarter around the Elephant & Castle renovations, in both morning and evening rush hours, it is clear that the roadworks around the capital are slowing drivers down.

“Whilst in the short term this is frustrating for drivers who have to experience longer commutes to work, these roadworks are a step towards creating a more sustainable modernised road network in the capital. It’s important we take into consideration the long-term benefits such improvements will have on London’s congestion problem.”

The Mayor has pointed out that roadworks are not the only cause of congestion and points the finger at the rise in private hire vehicles as well as London’s growing population and the incline in economy.

To end on a good note, the works on the super highway should start to ease in the new year!