London's traffic hotspots

The worst traffic hotspots in London are revealed today - and none of them are in the proposed western extension to the congestion charging zone.

Business campaign group London First, which identified the hotspots, called on the Mayor to launch an urgent four-year programme to banish the bottlenecks which it said were damaging the capital's economic wellbeing.

The worst hotspot is on the southern approach road to the Blackwall Tunnel and the tunnel itself, notorious for trapping thousands of commuters each day in long tailbacks.

Second worst is Trafalgar Square followed by Euston Road at King's Cross - part of the congestion charging ring road.

Fourth on the list is the Strand where traffic grinds to a standstill as it attempts to enter Trafalgar Square.

Jo Valentine, chief executive of London First, said: "We support congestion charging which has improved traffic flow in the central zone.

"However there are still problems within the zone and serious blockages on major cross-London routes used by commercial traffic for deliveries and servicing and buses."

He called on Transport for London to implement a four-year programme of traffic management solutions including a review of traffic light timings.

He added: "This would be a better use of time and money than extending the congestion zone westwards.

"London is a world class capital city and we should build on the good work already done. There are a number of solutions - congestion charging is one - but we can explore others."

A spokesman for TfL said: "It is very clear from research that the proposed western extension area is the next most congested part of the capital after central London.

" Considerable engineering resources are going into alleviating congestion where possible, especially on principal roads."

He said works were planned to improve the North Circular and delays on Euston Road were caused by longterm roadworks beyond TfL's control.

A TfL survey recently revealed that transport delays in central London now cost business and residents more than £1.75 billion a year.

The cost of holdups on roads, rail, Tubes and buses works out at more than £1,220 a year for each person working in the centre of the capital.

Nearly 36 per cent of the hold-ups are on the roads, landing the capital with extra costs of £627 million a year.

The spokesman added: "TfL has made a huge amount of progress in the management of the road network.

"The establishment of the Traffic Control Centre has helped maximise efficient use of the network.

"Future developments will continue this progress providing real time information to help drivers avoid disruption. Central and local government are also looking for ways to better balance demand to available supply, an important issue with a growing population."

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