RE: Britain's Motorways Worst In Europe
Thursday 15th November 2007
Motorways in Britain are the most congested in Europe, a new report has revealed.
Britain's Motorways Worst In Europe
Report slams state of UK's motorways
The new study from the Road Users' Alliance shows that Britain has more cars per motorway mile than any other EU-25 nation.
Unable to compete with countries such as Germany and France, Britain’s motorways are the bottom of the league with less developed nations such as Lithuania, Slovakia and Hungary.
Congestion and unreliable travel times affect the UK's economic competitiveness and quality of life, said the report.
The figures are to be revealed in a presentation by the RAC Foundation's director, Edmund King, at The Transport Times conference in London today.
In his presentation, Mr King will also highlight the fact that the UK has lower car ownership rates than many European nations but worse congestion.
Mr King said of the report: ‘Roads in the UK are essential for 92% of passenger traffic and 88% of our freight.
‘This reliance on the road network will continue even if public transport is radically improved.
‘We need road improvements but we also need to question when and where we travel.’
Discussion
We need a minister to combat congestion. He'll be tasked with:
1. optimising often pointless traffic lights on roundabouts
2. creating the "left turn on red" move where you can go through red but only if it's clear.
3. assess traffic light phasing in general to create a set of best practices and to listen to complaints about over-long all red cycles.
4. obviously fast track the building of roads that are needed
5. close down unused buslanes by defining a metric of how many people per hour are transported through them at particular times of the day. Will stop the usually empty but for the occasional empty bus syndrome that we're giving up valuable road space for
6. Maintain traffic flow on motorways after crashes -- don't close roads unless absolutely necessary and then have someone take responsibility for doing so who will be held to account for the wasted ££££s.
7. encourage drivers to maintain the speed limits where possible -- make it socaially unacceptable for old duffers to congest NSL roads at 45mph.
8. Promote the culture of allowing people to overtake without causing danger and nuisance from bunching.
9. where two lanes go into one make sure and let people know the fast way is to zip together sociably at the end. Pr1cks in trucks straddling both lanes early causing the lane restriction to begin hundreds of yards before the design should be awarded 3 points and 60 pounds for inconsiderate driving.
10. roadworks need to be done intensively 24 hours a day and the limits set tightly either side not for miles in each direction.
Blimey the list goes on. I feel a number 10 petition coming on...
SM
1. optimising often pointless traffic lights on roundabouts
2. creating the "left turn on red" move where you can go through red but only if it's clear.
3. assess traffic light phasing in general to create a set of best practices and to listen to complaints about over-long all red cycles.
4. obviously fast track the building of roads that are needed
5. close down unused buslanes by defining a metric of how many people per hour are transported through them at particular times of the day. Will stop the usually empty but for the occasional empty bus syndrome that we're giving up valuable road space for
6. Maintain traffic flow on motorways after crashes -- don't close roads unless absolutely necessary and then have someone take responsibility for doing so who will be held to account for the wasted ££££s.
7. encourage drivers to maintain the speed limits where possible -- make it socaially unacceptable for old duffers to congest NSL roads at 45mph.
8. Promote the culture of allowing people to overtake without causing danger and nuisance from bunching.
9. where two lanes go into one make sure and let people know the fast way is to zip together sociably at the end. Pr1cks in trucks straddling both lanes early causing the lane restriction to begin hundreds of yards before the design should be awarded 3 points and 60 pounds for inconsiderate driving.
10. roadworks need to be done intensively 24 hours a day and the limits set tightly either side not for miles in each direction.
Blimey the list goes on. I feel a number 10 petition coming on...
SM
Ban lorrys from the centre lane of motorways. 
When you get some tescos lorry trying to overtake a asda lorry in the middle lane at 56mph when the asda lorry is doing 55mph, it results in turning a 3 lane motorway into 1, all cars pile into the outside lane then you get the long traffic snake of cars in the outside lane actually going slower than the middle lane.
IMHO we dont need schemes like the M42 hardshoulder useage, just stop lorrys going in the middle lane!! simple!! I dare them to try it on a stretch somewhere
When you get some tescos lorry trying to overtake a asda lorry in the middle lane at 56mph when the asda lorry is doing 55mph, it results in turning a 3 lane motorway into 1, all cars pile into the outside lane then you get the long traffic snake of cars in the outside lane actually going slower than the middle lane.
IMHO we dont need schemes like the M42 hardshoulder useage, just stop lorrys going in the middle lane!! simple!! I dare them to try it on a stretch somewhere
to be honest, the standard of driving on motorways causes more congestion nowadays...
so many people trundle along in the middle lane - or worse, just form a queue in the outside lane with an empty middle..
more carrigeways would be nice, but we need some serious driver re-educate in this country!
so many people trundle along in the middle lane - or worse, just form a queue in the outside lane with an empty middle..
more carrigeways would be nice, but we need some serious driver re-educate in this country!
Fidgits said:
to be honest, the standard of driving on motorways causes more congestion nowadays...
so many people trundle along in the middle lane - or worse, just form a queue in the outside lane with an empty middle..
more carrigeways would be nice, but we need some serious driver re-educate in this country!
I totally agree. Sadly, the majority of motorists are as thick as pig shit and consider the inside lane to be for slow-moving trucks and lorries only. so many people trundle along in the middle lane - or worse, just form a queue in the outside lane with an empty middle..
more carrigeways would be nice, but we need some serious driver re-educate in this country!
supermono said:
We need a minister to combat congestion. He'll be tasked with:
1. optimising often pointless traffic lights on roundabouts
2. creating the "left turn on red" move where you can go through red but only if it's clear.
3. assess traffic light phasing in general to create a set of best practices and to listen to complaints about over-long all red cycles.
4. obviously fast track the building of roads that are needed
5. close down unused buslanes by defining a metric of how many people per hour are transported through them at particular times of the day. Will stop the usually empty but for the occasional empty bus syndrome that we're giving up valuable road space for
6. Maintain traffic flow on motorways after crashes -- don't close roads unless absolutely necessary and then have someone take responsibility for doing so who will be held to account for the wasted ££££s.
7. encourage drivers to maintain the speed limits where possible -- make it socaially unacceptable for old duffers to congest NSL roads at 45mph.
8. Promote the culture of allowing people to overtake without causing danger and nuisance from bunching.
9. where two lanes go into one make sure and let people know the fast way is to zip together sociably at the end. Pr1cks in trucks straddling both lanes early causing the lane restriction to begin hundreds of yards before the design should be awarded 3 points and 60 pounds for inconsiderate driving.
10. roadworks need to be done intensively 24 hours a day and the limits set tightly either side not for miles in each direction.
Good list, sir!1. optimising often pointless traffic lights on roundabouts
2. creating the "left turn on red" move where you can go through red but only if it's clear.
3. assess traffic light phasing in general to create a set of best practices and to listen to complaints about over-long all red cycles.
4. obviously fast track the building of roads that are needed
5. close down unused buslanes by defining a metric of how many people per hour are transported through them at particular times of the day. Will stop the usually empty but for the occasional empty bus syndrome that we're giving up valuable road space for
6. Maintain traffic flow on motorways after crashes -- don't close roads unless absolutely necessary and then have someone take responsibility for doing so who will be held to account for the wasted ££££s.
7. encourage drivers to maintain the speed limits where possible -- make it socaially unacceptable for old duffers to congest NSL roads at 45mph.
8. Promote the culture of allowing people to overtake without causing danger and nuisance from bunching.
9. where two lanes go into one make sure and let people know the fast way is to zip together sociably at the end. Pr1cks in trucks straddling both lanes early causing the lane restriction to begin hundreds of yards before the design should be awarded 3 points and 60 pounds for inconsiderate driving.
10. roadworks need to be done intensively 24 hours a day and the limits set tightly either side not for miles in each direction.
The first party that does this (and shows some signs of actually meaning it, as opposed to the Nu Labia hot-air-and-spin 'achievements') gets my vote. I'd like to add some more to this list, along the line of more Police on the roads, genuine enforcement of driving offences other than speed and realistic punishments for infringement of these offences. Put these in the mix, and I'd be a happy, happy man.
Oli.
I'd like to add to that excellent list.
1. All vehicles over 7.5t confined to Lane 1 during the hours of 8am to 9.30am and 5pm to 6.30pm.
2. Poor lane discipline earns you three points and £100 fine.
3. Slip road widening.
4. Bring back the M-cops.
5. Get rid of Highways Agency wombles, make carrying a warning triangle a part of the MOT.
6. More public education films on keeping a safe distance, lane discipline and how to deal with a breakdown.
Longer term.
M1, M6 and M4 to be widened.
More freightrail terminus at UK ports.
£1000 road toll to all non-UK lorries on entry.
1. All vehicles over 7.5t confined to Lane 1 during the hours of 8am to 9.30am and 5pm to 6.30pm.
2. Poor lane discipline earns you three points and £100 fine.
3. Slip road widening.
4. Bring back the M-cops.
5. Get rid of Highways Agency wombles, make carrying a warning triangle a part of the MOT.
6. More public education films on keeping a safe distance, lane discipline and how to deal with a breakdown.
Longer term.
M1, M6 and M4 to be widened.
More freightrail terminus at UK ports.
£1000 road toll to all non-UK lorries on entry.
While we have Politicians and the Police raising monies from motorists that will never be invested in our roads and councils that prefer to fund their final salary pensions than repair what we have as roads today we will get more and more chaos.
I live in Sussex where the A27 dual carriageway, the only east-west road starts at Eastbourne is mostly single carriageway, it's where Q the actor got killed, and ends at Lancing with roundabouts, a single carriageway with traffic lights and then 1 mile of dual carriageway that ends in a single lane with traffic lights a crawl through Worthing to a dual carriageway that ends at a hill with a 2 into 1 lane with traffic lights and a crawl through Arundel to reach Fontwell then to Chichester with it's 5 roundabouts, traffic lights, and finally a noisy 2 lane dual carriageway to the M27 where there is a 50mph speed limit at present until the roadworks are completed next year. This is the only south coast road we have and it's out of date and clogged.But there are minorities who don't want the downs route so politicians and councils have done nothing.This is my part of the world god knows what the rest is like.
I live in Sussex where the A27 dual carriageway, the only east-west road starts at Eastbourne is mostly single carriageway, it's where Q the actor got killed, and ends at Lancing with roundabouts, a single carriageway with traffic lights and then 1 mile of dual carriageway that ends in a single lane with traffic lights a crawl through Worthing to a dual carriageway that ends at a hill with a 2 into 1 lane with traffic lights and a crawl through Arundel to reach Fontwell then to Chichester with it's 5 roundabouts, traffic lights, and finally a noisy 2 lane dual carriageway to the M27 where there is a 50mph speed limit at present until the roadworks are completed next year. This is the only south coast road we have and it's out of date and clogged.But there are minorities who don't want the downs route so politicians and councils have done nothing.This is my part of the world god knows what the rest is like.
supermono said:
5. close down unused buslanes by defining a metric of how many people per hour are transported through them at particular times of the day. Will stop the usually empty but for the occasional empty bus syndrome that we're giving up valuable road space for
I have to begrudgingly admit, bus lanes are brilliant, it cuts a good 20-25mins off my journey in peak times. BUT the bus is always absolutely packed out because they only come every 10-15 mins. So my solution would be to increase the frequency of buses in the morning and evening peak hours, so they come every 5 minutes or so. Then once peak hour dies off, reduce the frequency of buses and open up bus lanes. This would be a far more efficient use of the space throughout the day.Of course this would inevitably piss off those who catch the bus during the day, but as they are usually the elderly, unemployed, students and other labour voting types with nothing but time on their hands, they can damn well wait. About time we stopped screwing the majority of people for the benefit of a few minorities.
Completley agree, i've been fortunate enough to get lots of travelling done this year.
In France Germany, lorrys are not allowd to overtake between certain hours, this works really well, as the comment about reducinmg the motorway into a 1 lane road when lorrys overtake each other was spot on. On the M25 last week, there was a Lorry overtaking 2 other lorrys in the outside lane, i couldnt belive it.
The pace at which work done in the UK is unbelivable, lanes are shut for eternity while workmen stand around talking, ive come through dartford on the M25 a few times recently, to see lots of cones, but nothing actually being done! In dubai, work is done 24 hours a day and things get done so much quicker.
I also thinnk people need to have it drilled into them how to use the motoroways, becuase all i can think is they are completley oblivious to it. Scotland make far better use of the overhead signs. Even a simple matrix sign saying
"After overtake - Return to Left Lane"
Or something similar. That, or we allow undertaking, which i dont think could be introduced easiily.
Our motorways are a shambles, im dreading next year having to use the M3/M25 to get too and from work, ive got to leave the house at 6:30 to avoid the car park which becomes the M3!
In France Germany, lorrys are not allowd to overtake between certain hours, this works really well, as the comment about reducinmg the motorway into a 1 lane road when lorrys overtake each other was spot on. On the M25 last week, there was a Lorry overtaking 2 other lorrys in the outside lane, i couldnt belive it.
The pace at which work done in the UK is unbelivable, lanes are shut for eternity while workmen stand around talking, ive come through dartford on the M25 a few times recently, to see lots of cones, but nothing actually being done! In dubai, work is done 24 hours a day and things get done so much quicker.
I also thinnk people need to have it drilled into them how to use the motoroways, becuase all i can think is they are completley oblivious to it. Scotland make far better use of the overhead signs. Even a simple matrix sign saying
"After overtake - Return to Left Lane"
Or something similar. That, or we allow undertaking, which i dont think could be introduced easiily.
Our motorways are a shambles, im dreading next year having to use the M3/M25 to get too and from work, ive got to leave the house at 6:30 to avoid the car park which becomes the M3!
fbrs said:
mikeg996 said:
Time to emigrate, methinks.
i did already and the uk still annoys me!please dont take it wrong way, but alot of peoples views are wrong!
£1000 on all lorrys entering the UK!? most of them coming in the country are probably keeping the country running - freight companies, products etc etc. without them it would probably cost the econmy more!
i also saw £100 and 3 points for driving too slow.
i am no slow driver, BUT sometimes you have to take it easy, when my girlfriend was preggas, i had 2 people overtake and swear at me when i was going to the hospital! FFS she was dropping a baby! also had a long que the other day, when i finally passed it was a people carrier with loads of kids in. if you crashed that sure you would rather be going slow then fast!
its a difficult one, but the one main thing that no one put.......their is to many people in the country, thats the problem!!!!
£1000 on all lorrys entering the UK!? most of them coming in the country are probably keeping the country running - freight companies, products etc etc. without them it would probably cost the econmy more!
i also saw £100 and 3 points for driving too slow.
i am no slow driver, BUT sometimes you have to take it easy, when my girlfriend was preggas, i had 2 people overtake and swear at me when i was going to the hospital! FFS she was dropping a baby! also had a long que the other day, when i finally passed it was a people carrier with loads of kids in. if you crashed that sure you would rather be going slow then fast!
its a difficult one, but the one main thing that no one put.......their is to many people in the country, thats the problem!!!!
spicjt said:
please dont take it wrong way, but alot of peoples views are wrong!
£1000 on all lorrys entering the UK!? most of them coming in the country are probably keeping the country running - freight companies, products etc etc. without them it would probably cost the econmy more!
i also saw £100 and 3 points for driving too slow.
i am no slow driver, BUT sometimes you have to take it easy, when my girlfriend was preggas, i had 2 people overtake and swear at me when i was going to the hospital! FFS she was dropping a baby! also had a long que the other day, when i finally passed it was a people carrier with loads of kids in. if you crashed that sure you would rather be going slow then fast!
its a difficult one, but the one main thing that no one put.......their is to many people in the country, thats the problem!!!!
A couple of interesting links on the population changes to expect in the UK over the next couple of generations.£1000 on all lorrys entering the UK!? most of them coming in the country are probably keeping the country running - freight companies, products etc etc. without them it would probably cost the econmy more!
i also saw £100 and 3 points for driving too slow.
i am no slow driver, BUT sometimes you have to take it easy, when my girlfriend was preggas, i had 2 people overtake and swear at me when i was going to the hospital! FFS she was dropping a baby! also had a long que the other day, when i finally passed it was a people carrier with loads of kids in. if you crashed that sure you would rather be going slow then fast!
its a difficult one, but the one main thing that no one put.......their is to many people in the country, thats the problem!!!!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7059195.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/514470...
One thing's for sure, it's going to get worse before it gets better.
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