News / traffic
‘Bristol has been too congested for too long’
Bristol has been named the second most congested urban area in the UK after London.
Bristol has moved up one place since it was ranked the third most congested urban area in 2021.
Across 2022, the average driver in Bristol lost 91 hours waiting in traffic, according to a report by traffic information supplier Inrix.
This is compared to an average of 66 hours stuck in traffic in 2021.
Bristol has been named the second most congested city in the UK after London – photo: Ellie Pipe
The A4174 Northbound ring road from Hicks Gate Roundabout to Bromley Heath features in the top 10 most congested roads in the UK.
A spokesperson for Bristol City Council said: “Bristol has been too congested for too long, after successive previous administrations have failed to think big or deliver meaningful change in our transport system.
“We have completed studies on delivering a modern, underground mass transit system, like those in fellow core cities Glasgow, Liverpool, and Newcastle. Bristol’s future administrations need to continue to be ambitious and complete this work.
“Meanwhile, we continue to work with strategic partners, such as the West of England Combined Authority who hold the strategic responsibility for transport, to build new railway stations.
“We’re looking forward to opening Portway Park & Ride station soon and construction work starting on a new station in Ashley Down in the coming months.
“We’re also working on plans to improve major transport corridors so buses can move through traffic easily while making it safer and easier to cycle and walk.”
After hearing the news, one Bristol resident took to Twitter to write “local transport is failing our residents” in the city.
https://t.co/HTCEhCZVLr and my city #bristol comes second in the UK, which doesn’t surprise me, because local public transport is failing our residents.
— Val Pospischil (@val_valpo) January 10, 2023
A Clevedon resident responded to the tweet in agreement. Leanne Hitchmough wrote: “Absolutely agree Val.
“A combination of complete cancellation of some buses from the schedule and the unreliability of those that are timetabled (don’t even think of being in Bristol after 6pm), makes life very difficult for those who rely on them.”
Metro Mayor Dan Norris said: “Working towards a greener, healthier future for the West of England by getting people out of their cars is a priority for me.
“It’s absolutely vital in the race to hit our ambitious net-zero targets locally – no easy feat. I’m proud of the record levels of national funding I’ve won for transport for our region. I have reduced bus fares and I very much hope people will try my WEST link minibuses when they are launched.
“I’m also investing in walking and cycling to help make this the natural choice for many more shorter everyday journeys.”
London remains the most congested city in the world for a second year running.
Main photo: Martin Booth
Read next:
- Bristol residents react to the Clean Air Zone
- Drivers could be fined on dangerous roads as council gets new powers
- Cyclist in her 30s dies after being hit by a lorry
- St George residents demand redesign of ‘notoriously dangerous’ crossing
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