Drivers are likely to spend nearly five days a year stuck in traffic and waste nearly £1,000 because of congestion, a new report has revealed.

The Local Government Association, which represents councils, is calling for more funding and powers to be given to local authorities to tackle problems on our roads.

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Councillor Judith Blake, LGA Transport spokesperson, said: “Congestion can have a significant impact on our towns, cities and communities, and act as a drag on local growth. Worse still, it can lead to toxic air and reduced quality of life.

“When the average motorist is spending a working week every year sat in traffic on major roads, and losing almost a £1,000 in the process, it’s clear that councils need to be able to do more to tackle this growing problem.”

The LGA’s report found that the average speed on an A road is just 25.2mph, 1 per cent slower than it was this time last year.

This is leading to increased air pollution, which leads to 40,000 premature deaths annually, and will cost the economy £300 billion a year by 2030.