29th August 2008
The credit crunch may be responsible for easing congestion on Britain's major roads, as motorists buy less fuel and use their cars less.
Traffic jams were down 12% on motorways and trunk roads for the first six months of 2008 versus the same time period last year.
In addition, the average motorway speed fell from 63.3mph for the year ending June 2007 to 62.2mph for the same period to June this year.
Trafficmaster, which conducted the survey, believes that people are being more selective about the journeys they make and the way they drive, due to fuel prices and money worries.
The most dramatic fall in traffic levels took place on the M25 between junctions 21 and 31, which saw a 26% reduction in traffic jams from June 2007 to June 2008 versus the previous 12 months.
Petrol Retailers Association director Ray Holloway told More Than Business News that weekly fuel sales from his members were down 5 - 10% versus the same time last year, with the North of England suffering the most.
However, he said on a year-to-date basis the decline in overall sales was not as marked, due to an increase in custom around the Grangemouth and Shell strike actions.
"Many forecourt businesses today have a convenience store supporting the fuel sales and the good news for the industry's retailers is that sales have not tracked downwards in line and are holding above 2007 weekly sales levels," he added.
Money worries easing traffic congestion
Traffic jams were down 12% on motorways and trunk roads for the first six months of 2008 versus the same time period last year.
In addition, the average motorway speed fell from 63.3mph for the year ending June 2007 to 62.2mph for the same period to June this year.
Trafficmaster, which conducted the survey, believes that people are being more selective about the journeys they make and the way they drive, due to fuel prices and money worries.
The most dramatic fall in traffic levels took place on the M25 between junctions 21 and 31, which saw a 26% reduction in traffic jams from June 2007 to June 2008 versus the previous 12 months.
Petrol Retailers Association director Ray Holloway told More Than Business News that weekly fuel sales from his members were down 5 - 10% versus the same time last year, with the North of England suffering the most.
However, he said on a year-to-date basis the decline in overall sales was not as marked, due to an increase in custom around the Grangemouth and Shell strike actions.
"Many forecourt businesses today have a convenience store supporting the fuel sales and the good news for the industry's retailers is that sales have not tracked downwards in line and are holding above 2007 weekly sales levels," he added.
Tags: Car
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