Congestion target awards received in Yorkshire

Date: 25/2/2010

West and South Yorkshire have been rewarded for outperforming local congestion targets.

A total of £2 million was given to the area for cutting the time it takes to drive a mile on West Yorkshire's road.

However, critics ridiculed the reward when it emerged the time reduction was just eight seconds, according to the Yorkshire Evening Post.

To travel one mile in morning rush hour has reduced to three minutes 56 seconds in 2008/09, down from four minutes and four seconds between 2004 and 2006, official figures have shown. Figures include journeys by motorists and those on buses.

The reward is to be used to fund initiatives to reduce congestion even further.

Transport minister Sadiq Khan commented: "I am delighted to announce today that West Yorkshire and South Yorkshire are being rewarded for outperforming local congestion targets - giving road users in these areas faster, safer and more reliable journeys, benefiting the local economy."