England’s love for online shopping is leading to increased
congestion and wear and tear of our roads that must be matched by
long-term funding for councils to bring our roads up to scratch,
the Local Government Association reveals today.
As companies scramble to meet their rising number of deliveries,
traffic caused by the number of Light Goods Vehicles (LGV) on our
streets has soared.
Analysis of new figures by the LGA reveals that, over the
last five years, LGVs traffic has increased by 20 per cent from
41.4 billion vehicle miles travelled to 49.1 billion, while
shopping online has jumped by almost a quarter (23 per cent) in
the last year alone, hitting £8.4 billion in 2016/17, up from
£6.8 billion 2015/16.
The LGA is calling for the Government to carry out a radical new
strategy to provide a fully-funded plan for the growing number of
vehicles on the nation’s roads, including LGVs, as well as new
powers to better manage congestion. This needs to include
reinvesting 2 pence per litre of existing fuel duty which would
generate £1 billion a year for councils to spend on local roads
maintenance.
Whilst councils recognise online sales can have positive
benefits, a continued rise in LGVs providing free home
delivery services has helped to contribute to increased
congestion on A-roads and in urban areas, road maintenance
issues, such as potholes, wear-down of road markings, and
increasing general wear and tear.
It would also already take £9.3 billion and over 14 years for
councils to clear the current road repairs backlog. The LGA is
calling on the Government to recognise the need to match the
increased infrastructure pressures facing our local roads with
additional funds.
This would allow councils to improve road surfaces and reduce
congestion, allowing all vehicles, including LGVs, to complete
their journeys quicker and with less stress, meaning it could
become even easier for people to get their delivery by the next
day.
Cllr Martin Tett, LGA Transport spokesman, said:
“Online shopping helps people buy the things they want at a click
of a button, whether it’s a gift for a loved one or a weekend
food shop.
“But it is clear that the growing demand for online shopping
means the number of Light Goods Vehicles on the
road is rising to meet demand. This is adding to
congestion, and wear and tear on our local roads, which already
face a £9.3 billion repair bill.
“Tackling this bill must be a national priority. Unless we take
action now, our roads crisis will continue to escalate and have
major consequences for the national economy.
“Long-term, consistent funding is the only way councils
can carry out the desperately-needed local road
improvements we need and reduce congestion. This would allow
all vehicles, including LGVs, to complete their journeys quicker
and with less stress, meaning it could become even easier for
people to get their delivery by the next day.”
NOTES TO EDITORS
- Road traffic (vehicle miles travelled) for LGVs in billions
|
2011
|
41.4
|
|
2012
|
41.3
|
|
2013
|
42.6
|
|
2014
|
45.0
|
|
2015
|
46.9
|
|
2016
|
49.1
|
https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/tra01-traffic-by-road-class-and-region-miles -
table TRA0101
- A recent report from the LGA, ‘A country in a jam: tackling
congestion in our towns and cities’ is available here.
- The Government will invest £21,606.83 per mile for local
roads, compared to £1,123,382.60 per mile for maintenance of the
strategic roads network (STN) over the five year period to 2020
