Britain’s transport infrastructure, already one of the most congested in Europe, is set to become even more crowded in the next 25 years as a result of immigration. For the same reason the cost to business and other road users of traffic congestion on England’s roads will be £5 billion higher each year by 2025, says a new report, ‘Migration and Road Transport in England’ (Briefing Paper 1.28) out today from think – tank Migrationwatch.
At its current rate the UK population is projected to increase by around 10 million between 2008 and 2033, with around seven million of that total due to immigration. Out of this number four million will be aged 17 or over by 2033, perhaps adding nearly three million to the driving population of the UK. ‘If the Government fails to substantially reduce immigration levels, England can expect unprecedented traffic congestion as economic growth continues and the population soars to the highest level in its history.’ said Sir Andrew Green, Migrationwatch chairman.
‘Our report once again shows that for most people the abnormally high immigration levels experienced during the Labour years is not just about whether or not immigration adds a fraction of a percentage point to GDP,’ he said. ‘For them it is about the often unsettling and uncomfortable consequences of mass immigration on the everyday quality of their lives. Just one of these is their ability to travel for work and leisure in tolerable conditions.’
Sir Andrew said that continued immigration at the current level was likely to see traffic on England’s roads increase by 28 billion vehicle kms, accounting for over 15 per cent of forecast traffic growth over the next 25 years. The report says that congestion on the UK’s transport networks compares badly with networks elsewhere in Europe, and its road network in particular is regarded as being the most congested in the EU…..
To read the full Press Release click here