Gridlock may be driven up 37pc, report warns

Traffic congestion will rise by 37 per cent if the current "minimal levels of investment" in roads continues for the next 15 years, a report today said.

By 2025, drivers could waste 656 million hours a year – the equivalent of 75,000 years – sitting in traffic jams, the report from the Road Users' Alliance (RUA) added.

"Under-investment in the strategic road network has left the UK with a transport system which is uncompetitive, congested, vulnerable to incident and inadequate to meet the future needs of the economy."

RUA director Tim Green said: "Will limited funds be spent on rail, which moves fewer than 10 per cent of UK passengers, or invested in.. .the road network?"