Traffic congestion cost the British economy £6.9 billion ($9.1 billion) in 2019 as commuters spent an average of 115 hours stuck in traffic, a new study shows.

According to traffic analyst INRIX, which has identified, analyzed and evaluated congestion and mobility trends in over 900 cities in 43 countries, this equates to an average of £894 per driver lost due to traffic problems last year.

London was the most congested city in the UK in 2019, with the average driver spending 149 hours in traffic jams. Traffic jams in the capital cost the economy more than £4.9 billion and the average driver £1,162.

According to the analysis, London ranked eighth on the list of the busiest cities in the world.

Belfast was the second most congested city in the UK, with the average commuter spending 112 hours in traffic last year. Bristol came in third (103 hours), followed by Edinburgh (98 hours) and Manchester (92 hours).

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The biggest increase in congestion compared to the previous year was seen in Cardiff, where traffic congestion increased by 5% to 87 hours.

In Nottingham, congestion rates fell by 17% to 78 hours, the biggest drop among the UK’s top 10 most congested cities.

The five most congested roads in the UK are all in London: on the A404/A501 from Edgware Road to Old Street, drivers spent an average of 44 hours stuck in traffic jams at peak times in 2019.

Outside the capital, commuters in Birmingham and Bournemouth spent the most time stuck in traffic on the A38 and A338 respectively, losing 32 hours to delays last year.

Trevor Reed, traffic analyst at INRIX, said: “Traffic congestion costs drivers, businesses and the UK economy billions of pounds every year. Rising car journey prices are hitting consumers hardest.

With the UK budget due soon, hopefully the Chancellor will take the opportunity to tackle this problem through further investment in transport networks.”

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A Department for Transport spokesman said: “The Government is committed to improving travel for all drivers, which is why we are investing almost £29 billion by 2025 to reduce congestion on our roads.”

“Looking to the future, our £2.5 billion Transforming Cities Fund will help develop innovative public transport projects. At the same time, our per capita investment in cycling and walking has tripled since 2010, encouraging people to try other modes of transport and helping to reduce congestion in cities and towns.”

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