UK lockdown: Tubes, trains and roads are rammed on first day of new shutdown

Rush-hour traffic remained high across England today as the new national lockdown began, just hours after extraordinary gridlock last night as motorists headed for last-minute shopping and leisure trips.

Congestion in London was at 38 per cent between 7am and 8am this morning, with data from satnav provider TomTom, which revealed there were 536 jams across 255 miles of road in the capital.

The congestion level today was significantly up from the 27 per cent observed this time last week, although much of that will have been thanks to the lack of a school run due to the half-term holidays.

But traffic was down from levels at the same time earlier this week of 43 per cent on Monday, 52 per cent on Tuesday and 47 per cent on Wednesday – and down from a 52 per cent average at the same time last year. 

It comes after astonishing traffic was seen yesterday, with queues at levels normally seen in the days before Christmas. There were 1,100 miles of jams in London alone at 6pm and the M25 was brought to a near-standstill. 

Congestion was worse than normal in 16 out of 24 cities and towns – and, as drivers reported colossal tailbacks, the RAC said breakdown reports were up 15 per cent compared to normal.

The RAC, which said the increased breakdowns were ‘a sign that the roads are much, much busier’, added that the spike yesterday was caused by families heading for pre-lockdown shopping trips and leisure outings.

The rush to stock up saw huge queues outside shops and beer being sold for just 99p a pint before it goes off. Shoppers filled their trolleys before four weeks of having to stay at home and make only essential journeys.