Traffic congestion in outer London has risen above 2019 levels this summer while the centre of the capital remains quiet compared with last year

Difference in traffic congestion compared with 2019

Outside central London

Central London

18 May

Congestion

charge

reinstated

22 June

Congestion

charge

strengthened

150%

2019

congestion

level

100

50

0

1 May

1 Jun

1 Jul

1 Aug

1 Sep

Outside central London

Central London

150%

18 May

Congestion charge

reinstated

22 June

Congestion charge

strengthened

100

2019

congestion

level

50

0

1 May

1 June

1 July

1 August

1 September

Guardian graphic. Source: Analysis of data from Waze Cities Programme by Environmental Defense Fund Europe. Note: To avoid misleading spikes or drops in the percentage difference due to holiday days being compared to non-holiday days across the two years, bank holiday data has been removed