Birmingham is 8th most congested place in the UK

Whether it’s disrupting your daily commute or delaying a highly anticipated outing, traffic can be one of the most frustrating parts of any journey – but which parts of the UK are impacted the most? 

Experts at traffic plan software Traffic Chart determined the UK areas where you are most likely to get stuck in a traffic jam. The study analysed government data for 2023 consisting of the total volume of all vehicle traffic miles, the number of licensed vehicles, and the annual average daily flow of traffic in each local authority area in the UK. 

Each factor was given a score out of 10, and an overall score out of 100 was calculated for each local authority to provide the ranking. 

The top 10 UK areas most affected by traffic

The area revealed to be most affected was Surrey, with a total index score of 88.70 out of 100. In the county, there were 802,236 licensed vehicles, which spent a total of 8.448 billion miles in traffic in 2023. Surrey had an annual average daily flow of 8,968. 

Following in second place was Essex, with an index score of 84.26. The area reported 9.686 billion traffic miles in 2023, with a total of 1,003,293 licensed vehicles and an annual average daily flow of 5,116. 

In third was Hampshire, with an overall index score of 82.93. The total volume of the county’s 2023 traffic miles was 9.472 billion, and there were 1,145,649 licensed vehicles, with the area amassing an annual average daily flow of 4,601. 

Ranking fourth was Kent, which had an index score of 81.38. The area had 1,004,482 vehicles, which generated 9.383 billion traffic miles in 2023, and an annual average daily flow of 4,417. 

Warwickshire rounded out the top five, with a total index score of 80.78 out of 100. There were 6.076 billion traffic miles reported from all vehicles in the local authority for 2023, with the number of licensed vehicles reaching 423,280, and the annual average daily flow amounting to 6,186. 

The areas completing the top 10 were Leeds (80.06), South Gloucestershire (78.98), Birmingham (78.58), Lancashire (78.40) and Hillingdon (76.19). 

Commenting on the findings, Martijn Hulshof, founder of Traffic Chart, said: “Traffic congestion is a significant issue in the UK for drivers and passengers, particularly in densely populated areas such as Surrey and Essex.

“These counties are known for their high levels of commuter traffic, as they serve as vital links between London and the neighbouring suburbs where many professionals live. As a result of its proximity to London, Surrey sees a considerable influx of vehicles during peak hours, especially on major routes such as the M25 and the A3.

“The combination of residential developments and businesses in this area contributes to the heavy traffic, leading to longer travel times for residents. In Essex, the situation is similarly challenging. The county’s extensive road network, including the A12 and A13, often experiences congestion, particularly during rush hour.

“The growth of towns such as Chelmsford and Basildon has increased the number of inhabitants travelling to London and other employment hubs, making traffic worse. Additionally, Essex’s location near the River Thames and its various crossings can create bottlenecks, further complicating the flow of traffic. 

“While there is no way to completely avoid traffic, there are ways to prepare yourself. You can do this by allowing plenty of time for travel, being aware of traffic reports, and if necessary, planning around expected congestion.”