These provisional figures indicate that estimated traffic levels rose by 1.0 per cent between Q2 2004 and Q2 2005. This continues the estimated underlying growth rate of between 1 and 2 per cent per annum since 1999. Other key results include:

• Car traffic was virtually unchanged
• Light van traffic was 6 per cent higher
• Goods vehicle traffic was 3 per cent higher
• Buses and two wheeled motor vehicles fell by 6 per cent
• Traffic on motorways rose by 2 per cent and traffic on A roads was virtually unchanged
• Traffic on Minor Rural roads and Minor Urban roads rose by 4 per cent and 1 per cent respectively

1. The figures relate to traffic, measured in terms of vehicle kilometres, and sometimes known as the volume of traffic. This is not the same as congestion. For example, traffic levels might show an increase but at the same time congestion levels may decline. This could happen if, for example, there is more traffic overall but it is more evenly spread during the day, with less during peak periods and more at other times. Congestion has a number of consequences, such as causing delays and making journey times unreliable. The Government announced on 5 July 2005 two new targets for congestion. The first is to, by 2007-08, make journeys more reliable on the strategic road network. The second is that, by 2010-11, the ten largest urban areas will meet the congestion targets set in their Local Transport Plan relating to movement on main roads into city centres.

2. Statistics Bulletin (05)7 Traffic in Great Britain - 2nd Quarter 2005 is available from DfT, SR2, Zone 2/14, Great Minster House, 76 Marsham Street, London, SW1P 4DR (Contact Margaret Talbot Tel: 020 7944 3095). Quarterly road traffic statistics can be viewed via this link

3. The quarterly estimates are based mainly on data at 152 sites, and are subject to revision.

4. The next quarterly bulletin will be published on Thursday 10 November 2005.