BOURNEMOUTH has been named as the UK’s 7th most congested ‘city’ following analysis of the latest sat nav traffic data.

Figures suggest 135 hours, more than five-and-a-half days, were lost by commuters driving to and from work across the Bournemouth conurbation last year.

On average, motorists spent an extra 35 minutes behind the wheel every day because of traffic, the figures revealed.

Bournemouth Borough Council transportation services head Ian Karla said: “In Bournemouth we have recently completed the town’s biggest ever transport improvement programme to bring about changes in travel behaviour and greater use of more sustainable modes, such as walking, cycling and public transport, and to better manage traffic.

“Working closely with neighbouring authorities Dorset, Poole and Christchurch, local partners and with local people and communities, we have implemented a package of measures to help make the cross town journey quicker and safer for residents as well as the millions of visitors who are attracted to the area.”

The Tom Tom Traffic Index analysed traffic patterns in 295 cities globally, between January-December 2015.

Date collected showed the most congested roads, in the Bournemouth conurbation, last year, were Poole Road and the A348 Ringwood Road, between Poole Lane and Canford Way.

Meanwhile, the reason for the most congested day recorded on Bournemouth’s roads, on Wednesday, October 21, was cited as the ongoing A338 roadworks.

TomTom Traffic vice president Ralf-Peter Schaefer said: “Transport authorities are managing congestion with well-engineered policies, but you cannot just build your way out of traffic jams.

“Studies have shown that policies of ‘predict and provide’ are unsustainable.

“Building new motorways and ring roads doesn’t eliminate congestion. More must be done to better manage existing road space and to spread demand.”

Mr Schaefer called for more people to change their travel habits, such as working more flexible hours and avoiding peak commuting times.

“If only five per cent of us changed our travel plans, we could improve traffic congestion on our main roads by up to 30 per cent,” he added.

Globally, Istanbul has been knocked off the top spot by Mexico City, according to the survey.