London remains the most traffic-congested city in Europe, holding the position for the third consecutive year, and is the third worst globally, according to the 2023 Inrix global traffic scorecard. The average speed in central London has dropped to 10 mph, costing drivers an average of 99 hours per year in traffic delays and amounting to an estimated economic loss of £3.8 billion.
The data analyzed by Inrix covers nearly 950 cities in 37 countries, placing New York and Mexico City ahead of London in global rankings. Notably, London's westbound A40 between North Circular Road and Church Road/A312 junction in Greenford was identified as the most congested corridor, where drivers faced up to 63 hours of delays annually.
Transport for London (TfL) has observed similar trends with bus speeds averaging at 9.3 mph but contends that, overall, roads are less congested compared to 2019. Factors contributing to traffic congestion include high numbers of delivery vehicles and minicabs, with some critics pointing to traffic-calming measures meant for cyclists as additional causes.
In the UK, other cities significantly affected by congestion include Birmingham, Bristol, and Leeds, with the average UK driver losing 61 hours to traffic jams in 2023. This reflects a 7% increase from the previous year. Transportation analysts attribute the rising congestion to a return to pre-pandemic travel levels, indicating a rebound in economic activity.