To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the estimated cost to the economy is of projected road congestion increase of (a) eight per cent. by 2010, (b) 22 per cent. by 2015 and (c) 28 per cent. by 2025. (226695)

The congestion costs associated with these particular projections have not been estimated.

However, previous work using the Department's National Transport Model for the Eddington Study (2006) did provide relevant analysis. The study estimates that for a 30 per cent. increase in congestion between 2003-25 in England, the time lost to all road users would be worth £24 billion at 2002 prices.

The full study is available at:

http://www.dft.gov.uk/about/strategy/transportstrategy/eddingtonstudy/