Putney tops the lot when it comes to traffic jams, survey finds

Putney High Street has been found to be the most congested road in the UK, according to a report published by traffic researchers. 

Analysing congestion on roads in more than 1,000 cities across 50 countries, INRIX – the US compilers of a global congestion index – found London to be the most congested city in the world for a second year in a row. 

Peckham High Street is the second worst part of the capital, according to the index.

The closure of Hammersmith Bridge is thought to be a significant factor in the cause of congestion in Putney.  The peak time for travelling on the A219 from Fulham to Morden, part of which is Putney High Street, was found to be 5pm.  

The average time for drivers held up on the A219 in 2022 was 47 hours total across the year and drivers in London spent 156 hours on average sitting in traffic in 2022. An average of 12 minutes are wasted by drivers trying to get through, while in Peckham, it’s 11 minutes.

Putney MP Fleur Anderson said: “It’s a shocking finding that the A219 – which includes Putney High St and Putney Hill – is top of the global league table for congestion.  

“The closure of Hammersmith Bridge is undoubtedly a major factor and this must be a wake-up call for Government.  

“I have led debates in Parliament and thousands of local people have joined my campaign to call on the Government to fund this major transport route.  

“I have written to the Secretary of State for Transport with these findings and asked the Government to finally take action.  

“The Bridge has been closed for years and the Government have not taken action. They could have funded the restoration of the Bridge in full in 2019 and it could be reopened by now.”

The news comes in the same week an update on air quality by Dr Richard Carter of Putney Society found pollution levels on Putney High Street to be significantly in excess of legal limits.  

However, the update did confirm that harmful emissions had decreased since the introduction of hybrid buses in 2016.  

Mayor Sadiq Khan announced in November that he will expand the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) London-wide to tackle the triple threats of air pollution, the climate emergency and congestion. 

The expansion will come into effect on August 29 and will operate across all London boroughs. 

Pictured top: Never less than very busy – Putney High Street (Picture: Google Street View)