Traffic costs Brighton and Hove businesses almost £11m, survey says

Latest figures revealed as part of the TomTom Traffic Index reveal congestion is costing Brighton and Hove businesses approximately £10,594,800 a year in lost productivity, up from £9,334,440 in last year’s study.

Traffic in the area around Brighton and Hove increases the time each vehicle spends on the road by an average of 135 hours a year (up from 129), which means an average commercial vehicle driver wastes more than 17 working days while sat in traffic.

Beverley Wise, TomTom Telematics director for UK and Ireland, said: “Traffic remains a serious issue for business and the resulting delays have potential implications for productivity, customer service standards and even employee wellbeing.

“Unfortunately, congestion levels continue to rise and the UK economy is paying the price for this at a time when the landscape is already challenging enough, with the growth rate now expected to be just 1.5 per cent this year.

“But, although solutions to the wider traffic problem are incredibly complex, businesses can take action now to mitigate its effect by using data to develop smarter working schedules and shift patterns that help employees avoid driving at peak times. Technology such as telematics can help in the move towards a more dynamic model of routing and scheduling that uses data on traffic and journey times to develop plans that minimise time on the road and can be quickly adapted in reaction to delays or changing circumstances.”

The biggest financial hit was felt in London, where £264 million is lost to traffic each year, followed by Manchester (£169,256,880) and the Birmingham area, including Wolverhampton (£144,184,320).

To find out more, visit: www.tomtom.com/en_gb/trafficindex/