The average speed of traffic on England’s strategic road network (SRN) is lower than pre-pandemic, latest data from the Department for Transport shows.
Vehicles on the motorways and major A roads which comprise the SRN averaged 57mph in 2023, down from 58.1mph in 2022 and 58mph in 2019.
The data also showed that “the average delay was 10.5 seconds per vehicle per mile (spvpm), up 12.9% from 9.3 spvpm in 2022 and up 10.5% from 9.5 spvpm in 2019″.
The figures have been released in the same week that National Highways announced the first ever planned closure of the M25 to facilitate work at Junction 10 which is being upgraded.
The motorway will be shut between junctions 10 and 11 from 9pm Friday 15 March to 6am Monday 18 March 2024 to enable the demolition “of the Clearmount bridleway bridge and install a very large gantry”.
National Highways are warning drivers of long delays and to only travel if necessary:
“We have spent months planning for these closures and making sure there are diversion routes in place, but there will still be heavy congestion and delays.”
Four more full closures are planned for the coming months.
According to National Highways the carriageway between junctions 9 and 11 carries between 4,000 and 6,000 vehicles per hour in each direction between 10am and 9pm on a weekend.
Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, said:
“For drivers who’ve already had their patience tried by the queues at the junction 10 works the phrase ‘you ain’t seen nothin’ yet’ springs to mind.
“National Highways’ plea for people to avoid driving in the area applies not just to trips on the M25 but also to those on surrounding local roads onto which the M25 traffic will be diverted.
“The hope must be that drivers take great care however frustrating the delays and disruption might be – the last thing we need is shunts or crashes, however minor, because the slightest mishap will compound the misery.”
ENDS
Contact:
Philip Gomm – Head of External Communications – RAC Foundation
[email protected] | 07711 776448
Notes to editors:
The RAC Foundation is a transport policy and research organisation which explores the economic, mobility, safety and environmental issues relating to roads and their users.
The Foundation publishes independent and authoritative research with which it promotes informed debate and advocates policy in the interest of the responsible motorist. For more information visit: https://www.racfoundation.org.