The worst areas in London for roadworks revealed — how bad is your neighbourhood?

However, 13 of London’s 32 boroughs, including the City of London, did not provide roadworks figures for 2024.

London has a high volume of roadworks for various reasons, including street improvements, construction projects — such as new housing and pipeworks replacements — and health and safety upgrades.

Some roadworks are also being carried out by councils and its statutory undertakers to repair potholes and ageing infrastructure.

Additionally, major projects like infrastructure upgrades, and London's status as a major global city contribute to the constant need for road modifications and repairs.

While essential for improving road infrastructure and ensuring safety, and coordinated to minimise disruption, critics say a rise in roadworks are to blame for London’s surging congestion.

Transport analytics company Inrix said drivers in the capital spent 101 hours sitting in traffic in 2024, a 2% increase from the previous year.

The total cost to London was estimated at £3.85 billion, at an average of £942 per driver.

Antonia Jennings, chief executive of the non-profit Centre for London, told Zag Daily: “Roadworks are a key reason for slower moving traffic, particularly when they block key routes through, into, or out of the capital”.

Outside of London, Liverpool is the city where motorists face the most roadworks.

In 2024, 31,765 roadworks were carried out in the Merseyside city, which is equivalent to 631 per 10,000 people.

However, Blackpool had the fewest number of roadworks. At least 41 roadworks were carried out in the Lancashire seaside town, which equates to 3 per 10,000 people.

In 2024, Birmingham City Council closed 10,463 roads to carry out maintenance. This is equivalent to 90 per 10,000 people, higher than any other local authority.

Edinburgh topped the list of areas with the highest average duration of roadwork, at 80 calendar days.