National statistics

Travel time measures for local 'A' roads: January to December 2022 report

Published 9 March 2023

Applies to England

About this release

This statistical release presents information about travel times on Local Highway Authority managed ‘A’ roads in England. The measures in this release are estimated using in-vehicle Global Positioning Systems. (GPS) observations.

Local ‘A’ roads, in 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic brought with it travel restrictions that were applied to the country from March 2020 to March 2022. Due to reduced traffic during this period, there was a marked impact on speed and delay throughout the network. Therefore comparisons with data from 2020 and 2021, when the road network was impacted, may not be directly comparable. COVID-19 restrictions in place in 2022 have had little to no impact on trends and therefore comparison between 2022 and 2019 can be considered.

On local ‘A’ roads in 2022:

• average speed was 23.7 mph, down 1.7% from 2021 (24.1mph) and up 2.2% from 2019 (23.2 mph)(pre-coronavirus)

• average delay was estimated to be 45.5 seconds per vehicle per mile (spvpm) compared to free flow, up 2.5% from 2021 (44.4 spvpm) and down 2.8% from 2019 (46.8 spvpm) (pre-coronavirus)

• average speeds and delay in 2022 have stabilised towards similar trends observed before the effects of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic

Year	2019	2020	2021	2022
Average speed (mph)	23.2	25.0	24.1	23.7
Average delay (spvpm)	46.8	39.3	44.4	45.5

Figure 1: Average annual speed and annual delay on local ‘A’ roads per year (Table CGN0503a and CGN0504a)

Definitions

Average speed is in miles per hour and is an estimate of the physical level of congestion.

Free flow speed is the estimated speed of the traffic if there was no congestion. This is calculated differently for the Strategic Road Network (SRN) and local ‘A’ roads.

Average delay is in seconds per vehicle per mile (spvpm) and is the difference between free flow travel times and recorded average journey times.

Notes on the methodology and sample

These travel-time measures are based on data matched to the Ordnance Survey Highways Network representation of the local ‘A’ road network in England.

Local ‘A’ roads: average speed

National overview of average speed

The average speed on Local ‘A’ roads in England across 24 hours in 2022 was estimated to be 23.7 mph, a 1.7% decrease from 2021 (24.1 mph). This is a 2.2% increase on 2019 (23.2 mph), when there were no restrictions for the coronavirus pandemic.

Figure 2: Average speed on Local ‘A’ roads in England (Table CGN0503a)

Average speed at peak times

Average speed on local ‘A’ roads during the weekday morning peak (7am to 10am) was 22.6 mph in 2022, a 3.4 % decrease from 2021 (23.4 mph) and a 3.2% increase from 2019 (21.9 mph). For the weekday evening peak (4pm to 7pm), the average speed in 2022 was 21.7 mph which is a 3.1% decrease from 2021 (22.4 mph) and a 3.8% increase from 2019 (20.9 mph). The average speed in 2022 for weekday inter peak (10am to 4pm) is 23.1 mph which is a 0.4% decrease from 2021 (23.2 mph) and a 1.3% increase from 2019 (22.8 mph). The weekday off peak (7pm to 7am) average speed was 27.9 mph which is a 0.7% decrease from 2021 (28.1 mph) and a 1.1% increase from 2019 (27.6 mph).

Further information on average speed on local ‘A’ roads

This measure reflects the average speed of vehicles on local ‘A’ roads across the entire day (24-hour period). The measure weights speed observations from a sample of vehicles by associated traffic flows so that it is representative of traffic volumes on the roads in different locations and at different times of day (as for average delay). The weighting for local ‘A’ roads also weights by hour, day type, month, urban and rural classification, and local authority.

Average speed on urban and rural roads

On urban classified local ‘A’ roads, average speed was 17.0 mph in 2022, which is a 2.3% decrease from 2021 (17.4 mph) and a 3.0% increase from 2019 (16.5 mph). On rural classified local ‘A’ roads, the average speed was 34.1 mph in 2022, which is a 0.6% decrease from 2021 (34.3 mph) and a 1.5% increase from 2019 (33.6 mph). Despite the differences in speed between the two road types, drivers on urban and rural local ‘A’ roads may perceive changes in speed levels differently.

Definition:

For statistical purposes, DfT defines ‘urban’ roads to be those within a settlement of 10,000 people or more. This is consistent with the Rural and Urban Area Classification 2011. All other roads are defined as ‘rural’.

Local ‘A’ roads: average delay

National overview of average delay

The average delay on local ‘A’ roads in England across 24 hours in 2022 was estimated to be 45.5 spvpm compared to free flow, which is a 2.5% increase on 2021 (44.4 spvpm). When compared to pre-COVID levels, there is a 2.8% decrease on 2019 (46.8 spvpm).

Figure 3: Average delay on local ‘A’ roads Table CGN0504a

Free flow on local ‘A’ roads:

Free flow travel times (used to calculate the average delay measure) are currently calculated using the 85th percentile speed observation, for each individual road section. These are ‘capped’ at national speed limits.

Average delay at peak times

In 2022, average delay on local ‘A’ roads during the weekday morning peak (7am to 10am) was 53.0 spvpm, which is a 9.3% increase from 2021 (48.5 spvpm) and an 2.8% decrease from 2019 (54.5 spvpm). The average delay in 2022 on local ‘A’ roads during weekday evening peak (4pm to 7pm) was 59.5 spvpm compared to free flow, a 6.8% increase from 2021 (55.7 spvpm) and a 2.0% decrease from 2019 (60.7 spvpm). Outside of peak hours, in 2022, the average delay in the inter peak period (10am to 4pm) was estimated to be 49.1 spvpm, which is a 2.0% decrease from 2021 (50.1 spvpm) and a 0.6% decrease from 2019 (49.4 spvpm), while the weekday off peak period (7pm to 7am) was 23.5 spvpm, a 4.1% decrease from 2021 (24.5 spvpm) and an 11.3% decrease from 2019 (26.5 spvpm).

Average delay on urban and rural roads

On urban classified local ‘A’ roads, average delay was 76.0 spvpm in 2022, compared to 22.0 spvpm on rural classified local ‘A’ roads. This represents a 3.0% increase for urban roads and a 0.5% decrease for rural roads on 2021 (73.8 spvpm urban, 22.1 spvpm rural). Compared to 2019 (78.0 spvpm urban, 23.0 spvpm rural), this represents a 2.6% urban and a 4.3% rural decrease.

Example: Average delay on urban and rural local ‘A’ roads

It is important to note that urban roads generally have lower free flow speeds than rural roads. As a result, a fixed absolute decrease in observed speeds will generally translate into a higher level of delay on urban roads relative to rural roads. An example of this is illustrated in Figure 4.

Figure 4: Illustrative example of average delay on urban and rural local ‘A’ roads

Local ‘A’ roads: Sub-national Transport Bodies (STBs)

STBs

The STBs are transport bodies formed of multiple local highways authorities to provide large-scale strategic governance. STBs are given statutory power through secondary legislation, with Transport for the North being the first. The monthly average speed and average delay for local ‘A’ roads within STBs can be found in Tables CGN0503b and CGN0504b.

Average speed

In 2022, the Greater London Authority recorded the lowest average speed, with a figure of 14.4 mph being recorded for 2022, a 2.0% decrease from 2021 (14.7 mph) and a 2.1% increase from 2019 (14.1 mph), whereas the Transport East STB recorded the highest average speed, with a figure of 29.8 mph being recorded for 2022, a decrease of 0.7% from 2021 (30.0 mph) and a 3.1% increase from 2019 (28.9 mph).

Figure 5: Average speed on local ‘A’ roads in England for Sub-national Transport Bodies, 2022 (Table CGN0503b).

Average delay

Figure 6 shows the average delay in each STB in 2022. In 2022, the average delay was lowest for the Peninsula Transport STB, with a figure of 28.4 spvpm being recorded. This is a 2.1 decrease compared to 2021 (29.0 spvpm) and an 8.4% decrease to 2019 (31.0 spvpm). On the other hand, the average delay has been highest for the Greater London Authority, which recorded a value of 101.6 spvpm in 2022, a 2.4% increase from 2021 (99.2 spvpm) and a 16.4% increase from 2019 (87.3 spvpm).

Figure 6: Average delay compared to free flow on local ‘A’ roads in England for Sub-national Transport Bodies, 2021 (Table CGN0504b).

Data is available for combined authorities within the data tables CGN503c and CGN0504c, however data is not for the entire country so this has not been mapped.

Local ‘A’ roads: Local Authority

Average speed

The lowest average speeds were mostly recorded by London boroughs, with City of London recording the lowest average speed in 2022 at 7.7 mph, a 9.4% decrease on 2021 (8.5 mph) and a 4.1% increase on 2019 (7.4 mph). However, the lowest average speed for 2021 was recorded by Camden. Camden recorded an average speed of 8.1 mph in 2022, a 2.4% decrease on 2021 (8.3 mph) and a 2.5% increase on 2019 (7.9 mph). The highest average speeds were recorded in more rural local authorities, with Rutland recording the highest average speed in 2022 at 39.5 mph, a 1.3% increase on 2021 (39.0 mph) and a 0.5% increase on 2019 (39.3 mph).

Figure 7: Average speed on local ‘A’ roads by Local Highway Authority in England, 2022 (Table CGN0503d)

Average delay

The average delay in each local authority for 2022 is shown in Figure 8. The lowest average delay values were recorded by more rural local authorities, with Rutland recording the lowest average delay in 2022 at 14.3 spvpm, an 8.3% decrease on 2021 (15.6 spvpm) and a 12.3% decrease on 2019 (16.3 spvpm). The highest delay values were mostly recorded by London boroughs, with City of London recording the highest average delay in 2022 at 214.9 spvpm, a 20.1% increase on 2021 (179.0 spvpm) and an 13.8% decrease on 2019 (249.2 spvpm). However, the highest average delay for 2021 was recorded by Camden. For 2022 Camden recorded an average delay of 208.9 spvpm, a 3.9% increase on 2021 (201.1 spvpm) and a 35.4% increase on 2019 (154.2 spvpm).

Figure 8: Average delay on local ‘A’ roads by Local Highway Authority in England, 2022 (Table CGN0504d)

Regional and Local Highway Authority figures

The annual average speed and delays for each region and Local Highway Authority can be found in Tables CGN0503d and CGN0504d.

Local ‘A’ roads: road level speed and delay

Average speed

Average speeds were the lowest on roads in London and other large cities such as Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, and Birmingham and highest in more rural areas.

Figure 9: Average speed on local ‘A’ roads in England, 2022 (Table CGN0503e)

Average delay

Across the local ‘A’ roads network we see a somewhat even balance of increase and decreases on the previous year, leading to an overall picture of stabilisation across the network. As in the previous years, delay is highest in London. Figure 10 shows the average delay on the local ‘A’ road network.

Figure 10: Average delay on local ‘A’ roads in England, 2022 (Table CGN0504e)

Road level speed and delay

Travel time measures for individual local ‘A’ roads are available from 2019 onwards. The annual average speed and average delay for individual roads can be found in Tables CGN0503e and CGN0504e.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) effect on congestion

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has had a marked impact on everyday life, including on congestion on the road network.

Exploratory analysis was conducted for 2020 to estimate the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on congestion. A fall in the number of vehicles on the roads could be seen from when the national lockdown was announced in March 2020. Therefore, data has been considered as “affected by the pandemic” from 12th March 2020.

As with previous years, most road traffic has trended back towards levels seen before the pandemic.

Context and user feedback

The local ‘A’ road measures presented in this release were developed to provide a more complete picture of travel times on local ‘A’ roads and to align with measures introduced for the SRN.

Following user feedback this release has developed the statistics to include Subnational Transport Body level data for the SRN and local ‘A’ roads. Interactive maps have also been developed using ArcGIS Online. We will continue to review the content and presentation of these statistics, which we expect to develop further over time. Please contact us using the details at the bottom of the front page with any feedback you have, or if you would like further information.

National statistics

Statistics on Road Reliability and Congestion were designated as national statistics in 2012 signifying that they are produced to the high professional standards set out in the Code of Practice for Statistics. They undergo regular quality assurance reviews to ensure they meet customer needs. Details of ministers and officials who receive pre-release access to these statistics up to 24 hours before release can be found in the pre-release access list.

Methodology and technical details

It is important to note that although there are figures for average speed and average delay on both networks, they are not directly comparable. A full explanation and further information on the data used, methodology, quality assurance and other sources of data can be found in the background quality report.

What do congestion statistics tell us?	Understanding the data	Important considerations
What comparisons can be made?	Due to a change in provider causing a step-change, data can only be compared from January 2019 onwards using the current data tables.	Methodological differences prevent comparisons between road types, while seasonality makes quarter on quarter comparisons inadvisable. Details are available in the background quality report
Interpreting average delay	Delay is recorded across all 24 hours of a day on a seconds per vehicle per mile (spvpm) basis. Delay here is compared to free flow conditions or the maximum speed limit journey time. This can be an indication of the relative congestion on the network.	Road users do not expect free flow conditions so consciously build in additional time for journeys. Delay may therefore be perceived as relative to expected conditions.

Interpreting average speed data	Average Speeds are weighted by road traffic flows to represent the volume of traffic at different locations and times of day. This can indicate the level of physical congestion on the network.	SRN average speeds only include cars. The local ‘A’ roads include cars and vans and additionally weight by day type, urban or rural and local authority distinctions.

Interpreting reliability measures	The reliability measures provide the additional journey time required to travel across one link compared to free-flowing conditions.	Reliability measures are calculated for the daytime hours (6am to 8pm).

Request for feedback

We are keen to receive feedback from users of transport statistics. If you have any comments about how the statistics in this release are presented or analysed, please contact us using the details listed on the front page of this release.

Next update

The next quarterly table update in this series is expected to be published in June 2023. This will contain monthly, and annual (year ending) figures, for the period April 2022 to March 2023. This will include new figures for the period January 2023 to March 2023.

The next annual written report is expected to be published in February 2024 and will contain annual figures for 2023.

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Road congestion and travel times

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