Despite moving out of the 10 most congested large towns and cities, drivers in Lincoln still spent an average of 28 hours each in traffic last year, at peak times.
According to Inrix, the ‘most in-depth congestion and mobility study of its kind’, traffic jams cost the UK £7.9 billion last year. That works out at just over £1,000 per driver in terms of fuel, working time and other economic losses.
The cost to the city through traffic congestion is estimated at around £127m annually.
Lincoln was ranked as the 67th worst city in Europe back in 2017 for congestion and drivers spent an average of 22 percent of their time, in rush hour crawling, for that year.
Too many traffic lights, population expansion and the constant threat posed by roadworks and car accidents, has caused many in Lincoln to label the accessibility situation in the city centre, a ‘night
mare’.
Congestion and gridlocks have been rumoured at costing the economy billions of pounds in recent times and with the Department of Transport allocating over £23 billion in an investment towards improving UK roads, it looks like the costs are mounting for motorists and councils alike.
‘One way’ signs and ‘diverted traffic’ signs, have been a regular sight for motorists at the start of 2019.
The DfT said it was giving ‘record amounts of capital funding’ to UK council’s last year, as they are set be given over £7.1 billion up to 2021.
Lincolnshire County Council, who received £5.4million last year by the Department of Transport for other projects, has since hosted a series of drop-in-sessions for the people of Lincoln in order to handle any concerns that they may have.
Councillor Richard Davies, project leader for the Eastern Bypass Project, said at the drop-in-session at Waterside Shopping Centre that: “We have received a lot of feedback in regards to congestion and with the North Hykeham Relief Road and the construction of the Lincoln Eastern Bypass, we are hoping that we can address this.”
“It’s been positive so far with these sessions and it’s been an opportunity so far to hear from various people about issues surrounding the city”.
The Lincoln Eastern Bypass is costing £92million and it’s construction is intended to ‘minimise congestion’ and ‘enhance the inner-city environment’. Ideally the council are hoping to link the bypass with the existing northern relief road, in order to create a complete ring road around the city.
The Project is set to be complete by May 2020.
Karen Lee, Lincoln MP, is set for a Community Engage Event on Transport on the 21st February at Sincil Bank and with it, will be answering any questions in relation to traffic congestion.
Tickets are available at: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/karen-lee-mp-community-engagement-event-on-transport-tickets-52902592077
