Updated road-related statistics available via online hub

The shift towards active modes of transport that took place during the pandemic has not been maintained, highlighting the continued challenges facing policy makers to promote a healthy lifestyle.

It is just one of the many trends highlighted on RoadFile, the Asphalt Industry Alliance’s (AIA) online hub of road-related statistics, which is updated every two years. The comprehensive 2024 update brings together the most up-to-date publicly available data from trusted UK and EU sources, such as the Department for Transport (DfT), as well as Eurostat for comparison with our European neighbours.

RoadFile presents key information in an easy-to-use format with options to download the data to facilitate further analysis. It covers topics such as road usage, traffic volume, safety, environment and funding.

The latest update shows that the spike in cycling reported in England in 2020 as a result of Covid-19 (up 26 per cent) has not been sustained and in 2023 is reported to be at the lowest level since 2016.

It also reveals that UK public expenditure on all roads increased by 43.9 per cent between 2012 and 2023, but by 192.3 per cent on rail. And, in 2023, for every £1 from the public purse spent on UK’s railways in 2023, just 45p was spent on roads.

“RoadFile provides a valuable resource for road-related data and is widely used by those across the industry and beyond,” said AIA Chair David Giles.

“The updated data continues to highlight the reliance on road travel for both people and goods as well as the disparity of investment that exists between road and rail. Coupled with the findings of our 2024 ALARM survey, it highlights the urgent need for more long-term funding for local roads – on which every journey starts and ends – to keep them resilient and fit for purpose.”