Congestion levels have got worse over the past year in London, Brighton, Nottingham, Leicester, Birmingham, Portsmouth, Cardiff, Belfast, Edinburgh, Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle, Glasgow and Southampton.
The index shows that Belfast is the most congested city in the UK, with journey times 39% slower than free-flow traffic throughout the day – peaking at 82% longer in both the morning and evening rush hours.
The Scottish capital Edinburgh is the third most congested city, with travel taking 36% longer on average and 71% longer in the evening rush hour
Second is London with journey times 37% slower, rising to 67% in the evening peak. The Scottish capital Edinburgh is the third most congested city, with travel taking 36% longer on average and 71% longer in the evening rush hour.
Brighton and Hove, whose 34% congestion in 2014 compared to 31% the year before, moves up from fifth place last year to fourth, while Manchester also moves up a place to fifth with congestion increasing from 26% to 32%.
Dropping two places to sixth is Bristol, with congestion down from 32% to 29%.
Around the world, the Traffic Index showed that Istanbul is now the most congested city globally with congestion at 58%, rising to road rage levels of 109% in the evening peak. Mexico City at 55% is in second place, followed by Rio de Janeiro with 51%.
“Road authorities and local governments can use traffic data to better manage traffic flow and businesses can plan smarter working hours, so their employees avoid travelling during rush hour,” says Ralf-Peter Schaefer, vice-president, TomTom Traffic.
“We can also give drivers the real-time traffic information and smart routing they need to avoid clogged roads and get there faster. Our mission is to help reduce traffic congestion for everyone.”
The Index takes into account local roads, main roads and motorways, across 218 cities in six continents.
The TomTom Traffic Index can be found by clicking here
