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Drivers lose an average of 10 days a year due to congestion

Worst cities in the UK for traffic jams revealed, with London commuters spending an extra 17 days a year stuck in their cars

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Drivers are losing an average of 10 days a year sitting in rush hour traffic and congestion on the daily commute, according to new research.

The study, which looked at 13 cities across the UK, analysed the travel time of various routes into the centres of major cities for a 9am arrival on a Monday, one of the busiest times to be driving.

This data was then compared to the same journey to the very same destination with an arrival time of 9am on a Sunday, when the roads are at their quietest. A central landmark in each city was given as the final destination.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, London is the worst city for jams, with commuters spending three times as much time in the car during rush hour, compared with travelling on a quieter Sunday morning.

That adds up to an average of 53 minutes more in the car for just one journey, which is a staggering 398 hours each year, or 17 days.

The research, compiled by insurance provider Admiral, also drilled deeper into specific journeys, with commuters travelling from Dartford to Trafalgar Square in London on a Monday morning facing the longest journey times.

Those making the 19-mile trip could be sitting in their cars for up to 130 minutes, adding an extra 90 minutes on a single journey. That equates to 28 days over the course of a working year.

Jo Cox, motor product manager at Admiral said: “The figures do bring home the potential time that could be saved if you travel outside of peak times.

“If at all possible, consider starting your journey and working day earlier or later. It could mean your time is spent a lot more productively.”
According to the research, Manchester is the second most congested city in the UK – where drivers will spend an average of 45 extra minutes per journey in rush hour, compared to the same journey outside of peak times.

Bristol comes third in the list, followed by Glasgow and Birmingham. Leeds is the city where congestion affects drivers the least – adding an average of 28 minutes on a journey but still doubling the time it takes for drivers to get to their destination.

Researchers found that one of the least congested routes in their study was a journey from Hexham to the Tyne Bridge in Newcastle, which will only be increased by 20 minutes or 57% if tackled during peak time.

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