Sign of better times

Nov 16 2009 Maurice Glover

Sign of better times

A RISE in traffic congestion on key routes is being seen as a sign of better times.

Congestion levels have increased by 50 per cent on the western sector of the M25, 45 per cent on the A14 in Cambridgeshire and 32 per cent o the M6 in Staffordshire, according to Trafficmaster.

Overall, the firm's latest report on commuting congestion shows an average increase of 11 per cent compared with 12 months ago.

AA president Edmund King said: 'Although we don't welcome an in crease in congestion, we do welcome the fact that it indicates that the economy is picking up.

'Our nation is dependent on road travel and congestion acts as a barometer of economic activity. The message to Government and highway authorities is that we need to continue investing in our road infrastructure as a means of boosting economic activity.'

Added Trafficmaster's Georgina Read: 'October last year was the height of the recession with the biggest recorded drops in congestion that were seen in the year. To see an increase is good news but it still doesn't put us anywhere near pre-recession levels.'