Taxi drivers ‘not surprised at all’ as London tops Europe’s list of most traffic congested cities
London has been named the most congested city in Europe, according to the 2024 Global Traffic Scorecard published by INRIX, Inc. The report, which analysed nearly 950 cities across 37 countries, placed London fifth globally, with drivers in the capital losing 101 hours to traffic delays in 2023. This marks a two per cent increase from the previous year.
Taxi drivers in London were quick to respond, describing the findings as ‘outrageous’ and ‘so sad’, though many admitted they were ‘not surprised at all’. The capital continues to dominate UK traffic delay figures, accounting for half of the country’s total congestion. The financial impact is staggering: delays in London cost the city £3.85 billion in 2023, equating to £942 per driver.
Nationally, the UK saw £7.7 billion lost to traffic delays, up £200 million from 2022. The average UK driver lost 62 hours to congestion, slightly higher than the previous year, costing them £581 annually.
London’s traffic hotspots remain some of the worst in the country. The Westbound A40 between the North Circular and A406 stands out as the capital’s most congested corridor. Drivers navigating the route at peak times faced an extra 17 minutes of delay daily, equating to 68 hours annually.
Roadworks at the Wisley Bypass on the M25 and M3 further contributed to significant delays. This corridor was the third most congested in the UK, with disruptions rippling across the southeast.
While London dominated the rankings, other cities experienced rising congestion levels. Manchester, for example, saw a 13 per cent surge, jumping to fourth place nationally. Bristol remained the UK’s second most congested city, with its busiest corridor – the A420 Eastbound – causing drivers to lose 21 hours annually. Sheffield and Edinburgh also entered the top 10 most congested cities this year, each seeing delays of 53 hours per driver.
Birmingham, Leeds, and Wigan saw their rankings drop despite experiencing overall congestion growth. The report highlighted roadworks, population density, and increased economic activity as key factors driving delays.
The UK’s congestion trends mirror those seen in the US and Germany, with traffic returning to pre-COVID levels. London’s modest two per cent rise in delays reflects a stabilisation of traffic patterns compared to other global cities, many of which are catching up after slower recoveries.
London remains the only UK city in the global top 25 for congestion, a position that underscores its role as a hub of population and economic activity. However, the persistent delays highlight ongoing challenges for city planners and transport policymakers seeking to ease the capital’s traffic burden.
