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Wednesday 18 May 2016 11:47 am

Uber commissioned research says Uber is not the source of London congestion

By: James Nickerson

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Uber is often blamed for London's congestion, as the city grinds slower and slower to a standstill.

But it's not Uber's fault… according to research commissioned by Uber.

The research has looked into why London is now the most congested city in Europe, and found the problem is due to e-commerce.

How? The research shows that demand for road use remained flat over the study period, and the number of cars on the road has fallen. Cars includes private vehicles, taxies and private hire vehicles. 

Read more: London congestion – The capital is heading towards gridlock unless the next mayor takes radical action

According to the research, that means "cars are not the sources to London's growing congestion".

Instead, it says, significant planned roadworks and a rise of light goods vehicles, or delivery vans, due to more e-commerce, was to blame.

It may not actually be wrong. The research by INRIX was commended by David Leam, infrastructure director at London First. 

"London’s roads are increasingly congested, but this isn't down to a boom in car journeys. As this report shows, car traffic is actually decreasing in central London, while van traffic and roadworks have risen significantly," he said.

"What's needed is for the new mayor to ease off excessive roadworks, build new river crossings, devise a plan for managing freight, and revisit measures to control congestion, including charging."

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