Traffic in Great Britain: Quarter 3 2003

Summary

Estimated traffic volume on Britain's roads rose by 1.5 per cent between the third quarter of 2002 and the same quarter of 2003.

These figures and analyses by vehicle type and road class, are published today in Traffic in Great Britain - Quarter 3 2003.

Key points include:

• Estimated traffic levels on Britain's roads rose by 1.5 per cent in the year to the third quarter of 2003. This is in line with the estimated underlying trend of about 1-2 per cent growth per annum since 1999.
• Car traffic rose by 1 per cent over the period.
• Light van traffic increased by 6 per cent. Light vans account for about two fifths of the growth in traffic over the latest year and now comprise 12 per cent of total traffic.
• Goods vehicles traffic on motorways fell by 2 per cent from the third quarter of 2002 to the third quarter of 2003. There was also a slight fall in goods vehicle traffic on minor rural roads. These were offset by growth in traffic on urban roads, and goods vehicle traffic overall rose by 1 per cent.
• There was an increase of 10 per cent in traffic of two wheeled motor vehicles and buses over the period.

Notes

Statistics Bulletin (03)8 Traffic in Great Britain - Quarter 3 2003 is available from DfT, TSR2, Zone 2/14, Great Minster House, 76 Marsham Street, London, SW1P 4DR (Contact Margaret Talbot: Tel: 020 7944 3095).

The quarterly estimates are based mainly on data from 132 automatic traffic counters in the road and are subject to revision.

Road traffic is one of the Government's headline indicators of sustainable development. These are a 'quality of life barometer' measuring everyday concerns and are intended to focus public attention on what sustainable development means and to give a broad overview of whether we are "achieving a better quality of life for everyone, now and for generations to come".

The next quarterly bulletin will be published on Thursday 5 February 2004.

Publication details

Published quarterly by DfT Transport Statistics branch: TSR2,

Available by telephone order on +44 (0)20 7890 3095

ISSN: 0-269-0993, price £-free.

E-mail: roadtraff.stats@DfT.gov.uk for queries concerning road traffic statistics

For information about release of this product see National Statistics Online