expressandstar.com

It may be a pain for drivers – but increasing congestion on major roads in the West Midlands was today hailed as good news for the economy.

Traffic on the M6 through the West Midlands was up six per cent last month compared to October last year, when the country’s recession was at its worst. Nationwide roads were 11 per cent busier, according to the figures from Trafficmaster. It means more lorries and white vans are on the roads, marking an increase in orders and deliveries.

Georgina Read of Trafficmaster said: “There are several factors to bear in mind, when looking at these figures. The period we are comparing this with, of October 2008, was durng the worst of the recession with the biggest recorded drops in congestion. So to see an increase is good news but it still doesn’t put us anywhere near pre-recession levels.

“Also the changes have been inconsistent across the country, although roadworks and some major incidents have influenced figures as well.

“There is an upward trend in congestion levels but this is prevalent on Mondays and Fridays so there is an element of ‘leisure’ traffic in this, particularly with the unseasonably warm, dry autumn weather.

“While increased congestion levels may be indicative of the start of economic recovery in parts of the country, others are still seeing less traffic – commuter, HGV and leisure – indicating that we are not out of the recession yet.”

AA president Edmund King said: “Although we don’t welcome an increase in congestion, we do welcome the fact that it indicates that the economy is picking up. Our nation is dependent on road travel and congestion acts as a barometer of economic activity.

“Our earlier report indicated big drops in congestion but despite increasing fuel prices, congestion seems to be on the increase since September.”

Not every road was busier, however. The southern sector of the M1 saw traffic figures down 19 per cent, while the M62 and M621 in West Yorkshire was down 18 per cent.

See Also:

• Share your news, photos, audio clips and videos with the Express & Star