More vehicles on British roads, figures show

Date: 14/5/2012

There has been an increase in the amount of traffic on Britain's roads, new government figures have revealed.

Data released by the Department for Transport (DfT) shows all vehicle traffic was up 0.5 per cent in the first quarter of 2012 compared with the same time the previous year.

While car and heavy goods vehicle traffic was unchanged in the timeframe, light van traffic grew by three per cent.

The DfT noted this is an ongoing trend as this category of vehicle traffic has grown by 64 per cent since 1993 - more than any other vehicle type.

According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, the truck industry started to recover in 2011 and this is a trend that is likely to continue over the next few years, especially because of the range of new vehicles coming on to the market.

There was a six per cent decline in all other motor vehicles traffic, which included buses, coaches and motorbikes, the DfT figures showed.

Posted by Mary Treen