New research shows that Bournemouth is the 3rd most congested town in the UK after Huddersfield and Bedford.
If you include cities, it moves Bournemouth down the 5th place, with Bradford and Peterborough taking up the top two places respectively.
Analysis by Plates Express has revealed the data on traffic congestion, showing that drivers in some areas are spending more than 360 hours a year stuck in queues — the equivalent of over 15 full days behind the wheel.
Using the latest figures from the Department for Transport, Plates Express calculated the annual and weekly time lost in traffic for drivers across the UK’s most congested regions.
Top 10 Most Congested Towns & Cities in the UK
| Rank | Location | Avg. Time in Traffic (Year) | Avg. Time per Week |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bradford | 360.0 hours | 6.9 hours |
| 2 | Peterborough | 210.4 hours | 4.0 hours |
| 3 | Huddersfield | 178.2 hours | 3.4 hours |
| 4 | Bedford | 173.3 hours | 3.3 hours |
| 5 | Bournemouth | 171.6 hours | 3.3 hours |
| 6 | Southampton | 168.5 hours | 3.2 hours |
| 7 | Leicester | 165.0 hours | 3.2 hours |
| 8 | Nottingham | 162.4 hours | 3.1 hours |
| 9 | Coventry | 159.7 hours | 3.1 hours |
| 10 | Derby | 157.2 hours | 3.0 hours |
Factors leading to the figures include unreliable public transport, roadworks, and increased development without matching road infrastructure.
A spokesperson for Plates Express said: “Many drivers don’t realise just how much of their week is lost in traffic until it’s put into hours. These figures are a wake-up call.
“Avoiding peak travel times, using real-time traffic apps, and sharing journeys can all help cut down the hours lost behind the wheel.”