Glasgow and Edinburgh in top three for UK traffic jams

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Glasgow and Edinbrugh are in the top three for worst traffic in the UK

Transport information company Inrix identified more than 20,000 congestion ‘pinch points’ in 21 cities, with Glasgow and Edinburgh ranking in the top three.

Analysis of the average duration, length and frequency of the hold-ups in September found that the impact of traffic hotspots will cost London drivers £42billion over the next decade.

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The report said the worst section of road for congestion is the M25 northbound between junctions 15 and 16, near Heathrow Airport.

Edinburgh’s city bypass at Dreghorn Barracks was in second place at £2.8billion, followed by the A8/M8 in Glasgow (£2.3billion).

The estimated £62billion cost to drivers of hours wasted in queues was calculated using value of travel time figures from a Department for Transport-commissioned report.

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More than 20,000 congestion ‘pinch points’ in 21 cities

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Congestion is expected to cost to cost the UK£62billion by 2025

This was more than any other country in Europe, with Germany the next closest at £42billion and Italy third at £19billion.

Let’s make sure we focus spending on those worst-hit hotspots

Inrix chief economist Graham Cookson

In last week’s Autumn Statement, the Government pledged to spend £220million to tackle congestion on England’s major roads.

Inrix chief economist Graham Cookson said identifying where delays have the biggest impact can lead to the most efficient use of investment.

He said: “Let’s make sure we focus spending on those worst-hit hotspots because, given the amount of money, we want to get the most benefit out of it.”