London Tops Europe in Traffic Congestion, Drivers Lose Over 100 Hours Annually

GBUnited Kingdom|

London has been identified as the most congested city in Europe, with drivers spending an average of 101 hours stuck in traffic last year, reflecting a 2% increase from the previous year. This data, released by transport analytics firm Inrix, places the UK capital ahead of Paris, where drivers experienced an average of 97 hours of delays, and Dublin, with 81 hours.

The financial burden of this congestion on London is estimated at £3.85 billion, equating to approximately £942 per driver among the city's 4 million motorists. The A40 Westway has emerged as the most congested road in the UK, particularly during the peak hour from 5 PM to 6 PM.

Other UK cities also experienced significant congestion, with Bristol and Leeds recording an average of 65 and 60 hours of delays, respectively. Manchester saw a notable year-on-year increase of 13% in traffic delays, while Birmingham improved, dropping from the second-worst to the sixth position in congestion rankings.

Inrix attributed the traffic issues in London to a high concentration of population and economic activity, with key roadworks, like those at the M25 Wisley interchange, exacerbating the situation. Transport for London emphasized its commitment to enhancing transportation efficiency and promoting sustainable travel options as a means to alleviate traffic woes.

Weekly Newsletter

Loading...

More from United Kingdom

Scientists Uncover Remarkable 520-Million-Year-Old Fossil with Intact Brain and Guts

A team of researchers has discovered an astonishing fossilized larva dating back 520 million years, featuring intact soft tissues including its brain and digestive system. This ancient creature is one of the earliest members of the arthropod lineage, which encompasses modern insects, crabs, and lobsters, providing critical insights into evolutionary history. According to the study's co-author Katherine Dobson, the specimen exhibits “almost perfect preservation,” allowing researchers to utilize 3D imaging to reveal intricate structures such as a brain, digestive glands, and traces of nerves. Lead researcher Martin Smith expressed excitement over the find, highlighting its significance for understanding arthropod evolution, particularly the development of complex features in early life forms. The larva's preserved brain section, known as the protocerebrum, demonstrates evolutionary continuity, linking ancient forms to their diverse descendants thriving in various ecosystems today. This discovery offers a rare glimpse into the Cambrian Explosion, a period marked by rapid diversification of life. Researchers believe that such exceptional finds could reshape our understanding of early animal complexity.
GBUnited Kingdom

Andrew Tate Faces New Allegations of Rape and Coercive Control

Controversial influencer Andrew Tate has been accused by four women of rape, coercive control, and assault. One alleged victim recounted a disturbing encounter in 2013, claiming he told her he was "debating whether to rape you or not," before proceeding with an assault, as reported by The Guardian. The victim, who was in a relationship with Tate at the time, stated the incident occurred after a training session for one of his kickboxing fights. Tate has categorically denied all allegations, calling them "a pack of lies" and "gross fabrications." His legal team argues that claims for personal injury are barred due to a three-year limitation period. Three of the women had previously reported their allegations to the Hertfordshire police in 2019, but no charges were filed by the Crown Prosecution Service. A preliminary hearing regarding the claims is scheduled for April 15. In addition to these allegations, Tate faces investigations related to human trafficking and money laundering in Romania, with both he and his brother currently reported to be in Dubai.
GBUnited Kingdom

Rare Quadruple Supernova Predicted to Outshine the Moon in 23 Billion Years

Researchers at the University of Warwick have identified a pair of white dwarf stars destined to produce a spectacular quadruple supernova that will shine ten times brighter than the moon. This significant event is projected to occur in approximately 23 billion years, far beyond humanity's timeline, according to a study published in *Nature Astronomy* on April 4. The binary system, designated WDJ181058.67+311940.94, is located just 150 light-years from Earth and has a combined mass of about 1.56 times that of the sun. The white dwarfs currently orbit each other every 14 hours, but this period will diminish drastically, culminating in explosive annihilation as they advance to within 1/60th of the Earth-Sun distance. Lead author James Munday remarked on the excitement of discovering such a high-mass system, while co-author Ingrid Pelisoli emphasized the importance of finding progenitors for type 1a supernovas near Earth. The upcoming explosions will enable astronomers to measure cosmic distances and understand the universe's expansion better. Despite the eventual explosion's magnitude, Earth would likely be unscathed if the event occurred today, as our planet is expected to be long gone due to the sun’s eventual demise.
GBUnited Kingdom
All United Kingdom News ->