Traffic backed up on the Ringway Pic: Tony Worrall

Drivers in Preston are spending slightly less time stuck in traffic compared to five years ago according to new data.

The annual Traffic Index study shows the city is still one of the top 25 most congested cities in the UK.

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Journeys in Preston take 19 per cent longer compared to when traffic is free-flowing.

Drivers in the UK waste an average of 127 hours a year stuck in traffic.

Preston’s road network is subject to major changes with the A582 being widened, Fishergate changing to a shared space and work beginning on the Broughton Bypass. At Christmas last year traffic marshalls had to be brought in to sort out gridlock in the city centre with motorists spending up to two hours trapped in their cars.

Traffic jam in Fishergate in Preston city centre: Pic: Tony Worrall

Related: Preston city centre traffic problems sees business group lobbying council

Ralf-Peter Schaefer, vice-president of TomTom Traffic who conduct the survey, said: “Transport authorities are managing congestion with well-engineered policies, but you can’t just build your way out of traffic jams.

“Studies have shown that policies of ‘predict and provide’ are unsustainable. Building new motorways and ring roads doesn’t eliminate congestion. More must be done to better manage existing road space and to spread demand.

“People simply aren’t doing enough to change their travel habits – such as working flexible hours, avoiding peak commuting times, making use of real-time traffic information and trying alternative travel modes. If only five per cent of us changed our travel plans, we could improve traffic congestion on our main roads by up to thirty per cent”.

The TomTom Traffic Index is the only global measurement of congestion comparing travel times between non-congested hours and rush hour periods, for passenger vehicles. It takes into account local roads, main roads and motorways across 295 cities in 38 countries on six continents.

How do you find your commute in Preston? Do you feel it has improved or got worse? Let us know in the comments below