Post-lockdown London is beset with 206 sets of roadworks

London drivers have vented their anger as they faced more than 200 roadworks in the capital just as rush-hour congestion levels shot up significantly while people are still advised to avoid public transport when returning to work.

Data from the AA showed there were 206 separate roadworks within the M25 today, including for telecoms, gas main and electrical works and construction.

And TomTom traffic data showed a 30 per cent congestion level as of 9am – a huge rise from 25 per cent at the same time last week and 29 per cent yesterday. 

And congestion in the capital at 8am today was at 29 per cent – the same level at the same time yesterday, but up from 28 per cent at the same time last week. 

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has again today urged people to only travel by bus, train or Underground if they ‘have no choice’ and to avoid travelling during rush-hour.

Social media users questioned why the roadworks could not have been done earlier, with Comedian Dane Baptiste tweeting: ‘I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again. 

‘How London was locked down for three months and Transport for London and various construction companies failed to complete any roadworks or engineering works is beyond me. They already had gloves and masks, so I don’t get it.

‘Where’s the efficiency? Imagine your country is in recession and you don’t prioritise infrastructure for when people want to come back to work.’

Another Twitter user, OBO Global, tweeted: ‘What I don’t understand is why these roadworks were not carried out during the lockdown when the roads were empty?’

And Priscilla Monica from North London tweeted: ‘I’m so over the traffic in London. Everywhere has roadworks. Over. It.’  

The rise in traffic comes as more people return to the office as coronavirus lockdown restrictions are eased, and take more leisure journeys amid the warmer weather.

Britons still on furlough are likely to be making more trips to see family and friends outdoors with temperatures in the South hitting up to 93F (34C) today or tomorrow.

Meanwhile Apple mobility data based on requests for directions shows the number of cars on the road continues to rise in London as the UK comes out of lockdown.

Requests for driving on its Maps app are now down only 16 per cent from a January baseline as of Monday – compared to 29 per cent the day before.

Walking is now down 46 per cent, compared to 57 per cent the previous day; and public transport down 64 per cent, compared to 58 per cent the day before. 

The rise in traffic this week comes despite a 30 per cent increase in London’s congestion charge from £11.50 to £15 and an extension in its hours of operation.

Transport for London said the temporary measures – which both began on Monday – were introduced under the terms of its £1.6billion Government bailout.

Charges were previously enforced on weekdays between 7am and 6pm, but have now been extended to between 7am and 10pm, seven days a week.

TfL says car traffic in the charging zone is already back to pre-coronavirus pandemic levels, and roads will become ‘unusably congested’ if no action is taken as restrictions are eased further.

It believes the changes being made could reduce car trips by a third and encourage more people to make journeys by walking or cycling.

A scheme which reimburses NHS staff making additional journeys in the zone as part of their role in tackling the pandemic is also now being extended to include more people, such as ambulance workers and care home staff.

TfL’s director of city planning Alex Williams said: ‘It is not sustainable for London’s recovery to be dominated by cars.

‘We are already seeing a surge in traffic and need to act now to stop the city grinding to a halt.’

TfL has created at least 19,000m² extra walking and cycling space in the past month by extending footways and bus platforms.

And Mr Khan tweeted today: ‘Face coverings are now compulsory on public transport. If you have no choice but to travel by bus, train or tube today, please avoid rush hour, use a hand sanitizer and remember to wear a face covering.’

It comes as councils try to make it easier to cycle and walk around towns and cities, after Transport Secretary Grant Shapps urged them to take ‘radical’ action.

He said last month that the Government wants councils to make ‘significant changes to their road layouts’, adding: ‘In the new world pedestrians will need more space.’

Coronavirus legislation has sped up the process of making emergency traffic orders that are needed to widen pavements or create cycle lanes. The orders can be made at just seven days’ notice and advertised online.

Traffic levels have increased since non-essential shops were allowed to reopen last Monday, and are set to rise further when pubs, restaurants and other parts of the hospitality industry welcome people back in from July 4.

More commuters heading to work will also increase levels, with public transport usage also expected to rise as large numbers of people take the London Underground or buses to get into the office.

Last week, it was revealed speed limits through motorway roadworks could be increased from 50mph to 60mph.

The expansion of ‘smart’ motorways has led to a rash of lengthy 50mph limits during the construction work, many of which are likely to be in place for years to come.

One of the longest 50mph zones stretches for 34 miles along the M4 from London to near Reading, where roadworks will not be completed until 2022.

This has led to anger among drivers who blame the limit for increasing congestion while making their journeys more stressful and potentially less safe due to the threat of being tailgated by lorries.

Although 50mph zones are supposed to protect roadside labourers, anecdotal evidence suggests there are vast stretches where no work is being carried out whatsoever – particularly at night and during weekends.

Motoring groups have also questioned why ‘interminably long stretches of works’ are still in place at a time when traffic levels are far below normal levels during the coronavirus crisis.

Frustrations have been further heightened by doubts over the benefits and safety of the £6billion smart motorway programme, where hard shoulders are turned into live lanes to ease congestion with regularly-spaced emergency refuges.

The complex rollout of 300 miles of smart motorway is one of the reasons for the extreme length and duration of roadworks. The programme is not expected to be completed until 2025.

To address drivers’ frustration, Highways England has carried out a 12-month trial to look at raising the roadworks limit to 60mph under certain conditions.