Gridlocked drivers turn to rural roads

DRIVERS are switching to longer, rural routes to avoid gridlocked urban roads, figures suggest.

The amount of traffic on urban A-roads has fallen by 1 per cent since 2012, while traffic using rural A-roads has gone up to 12.8 per cent of overall volume, Department for Transport data shows.

Overall, drivers clocked up a record 327.1billion miles in 2017 – a 1.3 per cent increase from the previous year.

Jack Cousens, from motoring association the AA, said: ‘Drivers are so frustrated with the congestion on main roads that they are prepared to drive a little farther if it means they can keep the wheels turning.’

The figures have led to calls for more investment. A spokesman for transport policy organisation the RAC Foundation said: ‘We need consistent, long-term funding to ensure routes are adequately maintained and can stand up to the pressure.’

Van traffic is growing faster than any other vehicle type, rising by 2.7 per cent year-on-year.

Experts put this down to the rise of online shopping and self-employment.