The AA has said that opportunities to take advantage of a huge reduction in motor traffic by improving transport systems have been lost.
DfT analysis found that the pandemic led to a reduction of 52 billion vehicle miles over the year to June, as people were urged to avoid non-essential journeys.
AA president Edmund King said: “The biggest recorded fall in UK traffic has been one of many stunning impacts of the coronavirus impacts.
“It has seen huge reductions in fuel consumption, deserted evening roads, a surge in deer and wildlife collisions, and a boom in home deliveries.
“However, it has also seen lost opportunities, such as the failure to launch pop-up park and pedal facilities to provide an alternative to urban public transport, and a series of residents’ revolts in London and other UK cities as some councils restricted road access and created local traffic congestion – in direct contrast to what was happening on the country’s roads in general.”
