London traffic slowest since horse and cart

11 February 2002: The average traffic speed in central London is now just 9.9mph, the slowest since the horse and cart era.

According to a recent survey, more than half of the journey time of the average London driver is spent at a standstill.

A congestion charging scheme is due to start in a year's time and London Lord Mayor Ken Livingstone says the official figures are proof drivers should be charged to drive into the centre.

However, motoring groups claim the figures showed the adverse impact of traffic-calming schemes, additional bus lanes, 20mph zones, speed cameras and cancelled buses.

February 2002