Motorists flock back to roads as reliance on cars increases

CAR dependency is at its highest level in 15 years, an RAC survey has found, as experts warn that the government plans to encourage people to walk and cycle more face challenges.

More than four out of five respondents to an annual RAC poll of motorists (82 per cent) said they would struggle without access to a car, up from 79 per cent last year and 74 per cent in 2019, and the largest proportion since 2006.

Covid-19 has also affected public transport use, the survey found, with 45 per cent saying they will travel less often by public transport as a direct result of the pandemic.

The continued reliance on cars comes despite many drivers saying they won’t return to their usual commuting habits, with the average expected number of commuting days falling to three per week, down from four before the virus hit.

Plans to meet net zero targets released by the Government this week suggest a goal of half of all journeys in towns and cities being undertaken on foot or by bicycle by 2030. But many respondents said they relied on their cars because their journeys were too long, or public transport wasn’t reliable enough. A £2 billion “active travel” fund will invest in bike lanes and low-traffic neighbourhoods, with walking and cycling becoming the “natural first choice”, ministers said.

But the data suggest policymakers may face a struggle to persuade motorists to abandon their cars.

On Thursday data released by traffic information firm Tomtom suggested that London’s busiest roads have returned to their pre-pandemic levels of congestion.