Daily Express

Misery of commuting can shorten your life

- By John Ingham Transport Editor

COMMUTING was officially branded bad for your health yesterday, with experts warning that the stress of traffic jams, train delays and overcrowdi­ng may shorten commuters’ lives.

The Royal Society for Public Health’s “Health In A Hurry” report found that commuting times have lengthened in the past 10 years to an average of nearly an hour, ranging from 45 minutes in Wales to 79 minutes in London.

The number of workers commuting two or more hours a day was up from 1.7 million to three million.

It said: “Longer commutes are potentiall­y shortening lives. Longer commute times are associated with increased stress, higher blood pressure and body mass index.”

Its poll of 1,500 commuters found delays, overcrowdi­ng and anti-social behaviour caused the most stress. Fifty-five per cent reported raised stress levels and 41 per cent were missing out on exercise.

A similar proportion said they had less time to prepare healthy meals. One in three said he or she sought solace in snacking or fast food.

Commuters eat an extra 800 calories a week on average as a result of snacking on the go.

The society called on employers to allow more people to work flexibly to avoid the rush hour and said new travel franchises should limit junk food outlets at stations.

Chief executive Shirley Cramer said: “Taking public transport should be encouraged and made as attractive as possible, so there needs to be greater considerat­ion given to supporting passengers’ health and wellbeing.”

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