Edinburgh and Glasgow among '˜most congested cities in world'

Commuters in the UK's 25 most congested towns and cities waste an average of 127 hours a year stuck in traffic, according to a study.

Survey setters Tom Tom blamed commuters for the delays. Picture: Steven Scott Taylor

Analysis of journey times for the TomTom Traffic Index found drivers spent the equivalent of more than five extra days in their vehicles last year than they would have if there were no queues.

Congestion was 4 per cent worse than in 2014, with the problem increasing in 17 of the 25 towns and cities in the report. Experts calculated that congestion across the UK has grown 14 per cent over the past five years, while in the rest of Europe the problem has eased by 3 per cent.

AA president Edmund King said this was because the UK’s economy is “generally stronger”.

Belfast is the UK city with the most serious hold-ups – and the 14th worst in the world –with average journey times 40 per cent slower than if traffic was flowing freely, according to the study.

This figure rises to 86 per cent during the evening peak in the Northern Ireland capital, with drivers wasting an overall average of 195 hours behind the wheel – equivalent to more than eight days.

London is the 20th most congested city in the world – and the second worst in the UK – with average trips 38 per cent slower, rising to 66 per cent in the after-work rush.

Next on the list are Manchester and Edinburgh – with journeys taking 37 per cent longer – followed by Brighton (34 per cent), Hull (33 per cent) and Bournemouth (32 per cent).

Glasgow was the 17th most congested UK city, with journeys taking an average 26 per cent longer.

The analysis of 14 trillion pieces of traffic data worldwide found commuters in Mexico City face the worst congestion as they endure an average of 59 per cent extra driving time, rising to 94 per cent in the evening peak.

The next most congested large cities are Bangkok, Istanbul and Rio de Janeiro – which is hosting the Olympic Games in August.

Ralf-Peter Schaefer of TomTom Traffic said: “Building new motorways and ring roads doesn’t eliminate congestion. More must be done to better manage existing road space and to spread demand.People simply aren’t doing enough to change their travel habits – such as working flexible hours, avoiding peak commuting times, making use of real-time traffic information and trying alternative travel modes.

“If only 5 per cent of us changed our travel plans we could improve traffic congestion on our main roads by up to 30 per cent.”

Mr King said UK motorists are “fed up” with traffic jams and “more interested in reliable journey times rather than faster journey times”.