Drivers in Swindon say congestion is a part of their everyday reality following the news that the town has been named the worst in the UK for traffic.
Latest research by the car insurance team at Compare the Market has revealed that Swindon is ranked worst in the UK for traffic and congestion, out of the 55 cities analysed.
The data considered factors such as how many people commute by car in each city, the average distance covered per minute, and each area’s traffic index score.
According to research, 86 per cent of Swindon residents regularly use their car to commute in and around the traffic hotspot.
Locals spend an average 11 days per year just commuting by car, which is two days more than the national average.
The data placed Swindon at the top of the ranks for all the wrong reasons.
However, Swindon Borough Council Conservative leader Gary Sumner believes that Compare the Market’s data may not be the most representative.
“Swindon has been through some major road projects in the past couple of years so this may have skewed the data,” he said.
“Junction 15 now flows smoothly with queues very rare, and the same for the new White Hart junction and for Greenbridge."
The councillor, who was a cabinet member for strategic infrastructure, transport and planning until May, has admitted that some longer-term plans to study the A420 might lead to improvements there in the future.
“Compare the Market should be in Devon with me right now though where it takes an hour to travel 17 miles.”
Chair of the Achieving Net Zero Committee, Jane Milner Barry, has had a very different reaction to the rankings, suggesting that improved public transport may be the solution to Swindon’s traffic problem.
“Earlier this year the Borough Council engaged in a ‘Traffic Conversation’ with Swindon residents. We found that a lot of people drive around town because they do not think there are convenient alternatives,” the councillor explained.
“A majority of residents told us that they would be very willing to consider alternatives to the car for short journeys.
"So we need better bus services, safer cycle infrastructure and more attractive walking routes.
"In the face of years of funding reductions, the borough council is now focused on doing all it can to make it easier and more pleasant for Swindon residents to get about town,” she added.
For many locals, the latest rankings perfectly reflect their day-to-day reality.
“I’m not shocked at all,” said Old Town local, Pete Shipp.
“With a town layout that was originally designed when most people walked everywhere, plus a railway running through the town making pinch points, all of that is bound to equal a terrible experience for drivers.”
“Of course, if public transport was any good, fewer people would feel the need to drive,” he pointed out, in agreement with Coun Milner Barry.
Swindon also has the fourth-highest traffic index, which takes into account overall traffic conditions including commute time, CO2 emissions and dissatisfaction at getting stuck in queues, with a score of 196.
Lyneham local Denis Hickman, who commutes into Swindon regularly to look after his grandchildren, thinks that roadworks are to blame for this.
“The amount of roadworks being carried out all at once is a joke. Why not finish what they start and move on to the next project? That way only minimum traffic would be affected,” Mr Hickman said.
“Some days it’s a nightmare getting into town, so I can’t say I’m shocked at all by these rankings,” he added.
Swindon Borough Council have been contacted for an official statement but are yet to respond.
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