The British public are hitting the roads today as the latest data shows slight increases in the levels of traffic.
The latest real-time information from TomTom suggests there has been more trips on the roads this morning.
It comes after Brits flocked outdoors at the weekend to enjoy the sunny weather at parks, and lengthy queues could be seen at B&Q, Homebase and Costa Coffee, who all recently opened stores again to customers.
Traffic data from TomTom showed a two per cent increase in the number of cars on the road today in London, compared to the previous Monday morning.
Traffic builds up on the A102 in Greenwich south east London as the lockdown continues
Traffic data from TomTom showed a two per cent increase in the number of cars on the road today in London, compared to the previous Monday
Despite slight increases in traffic this morning in the capital, the congestion level is still 13 per cent lower than normal
A new interactive map lays bare the coronavirus postcode lottery and reveals sprawling areas in Wales, the South West and East England which have recorded zero deaths
A similar pattern could be seen in Manchester, and Liverpool which also saw a one per cent increase in traffic compared to the previous week.
This is despite a newly released ONS data map showing cities are the most heavily impacted by coronavirus deaths, and the lockdown should apply more heavily here than anywhere else.
The graphic – based on ONS data – shows the bulk of virus deaths are in densely populated cities and their transport routes to one another, while, towns furthest away from cities appear to be avoiding the worst of the crisis.
There have been growing calls for lockdown to be eased on rural communities that have not been impacted by the pandemic.
Traffic in Birmingham stayed the same, and Brighton bucked the trend with it dipping slightly but one per cent compared to the same time last week.
The levels of traffic in all the major cities are still considerably below the average congestion levels in 2019.
The statistics emerge as Boris Johnson has warned that lifting lockdown restrictions too soon would be ‘the worst thing we could do’.
In a video message on Twitter today, the Prime Minister said it was important to meet the five tests set by the Government before easing the lockdown.
Liverpool: The area saw a one per cent increase in traffic compared to the previous week
Manchester: The area saw a one per cent increase in traffic compared to the previous week
‘We will only be able to move onto the second phase of this conflict if our five tests have been met,’ he said.
The tests are: that the NHS must have sufficient critical care capacity; there must be a sustained and consistent fall in daily deaths; the infection rate must be decreasing to ‘manageable levels’; there must be enough PPE and testing supply; and any adjustments must not lead to a second peak which could overwhelm the health service.
Mr Johnson said: ‘The worst thing we could do now is ease up too soon and allow a second peak of coronavirus.’
The PM is expected to unveil the full details of how the UK will eventually leave the lockdown on Sunday.
The government has come under increasing pressure to reveal its plans, but has previously resisted for fears it would send mixed messaging to the public.
The pandemic is causing significant damage to the UK economy, and unions today told businesses to ‘hold firm’ and avoid any short-term action that could hamper the country’s emergence from the crisis.
The statistics emerged after Boris Johnson has warned that lifting lockdown restrictions too soon would be ‘the worst thing we could do’
The UK has announced 315 new coronavirus deaths today, bringing total fatalities to 28,446 and putting the country on course to become the hardest hit in Europe
Firms are being urged to ‘hold firm’ and avoid short-term action which unions warn could hamper the country’s emergence from the Covid-19 crisis.
Amid a flurry of job losses in recent weeks, Unite said companies should avoid a ‘knee-jerk ‘ reaction.
Unite called on companies such as Rolls-Royce to work with unions and the Government to come up with an industrial strategy to develop the jobs of tomorrow.
Thousands of jobs are under threat at the engineering giant as manufacturers continue to suffer from the economic lockdown.
Steve Turner, Unite assistant general secretary, said: ‘We say to Rolls-Royce, step back from drastic, short-term responses and work with us to shape a positive future for a world-class business, our highly-skilled workforce and our communities.
‘Help us to deliver a Government-led industrial strategy to build our way out of this crisis and meet the challenges of the future.
‘These are unprecedented times. We understand the challenges to our industries from Covid-19 and the impact of Government measures to protect public health on both the immediate and longer-term outlook for manufacturing as well as the wider economy.’