Small road in the heart of Portsmouth named as one of the most congested in the country
A small road in the heart of Portsmouth has been named as one of the most congested in the country.
Alfred Road, which connects Market Way and Queen Street, is listed as one of the most congested roads in a study carried out by SDVH [Self Drive Vehicle Hire] which analysed the latest data from DEFRA’s UK Air Local Air Quality Dashboard.
The road is a major route in and out of the south of the city, popular with visitors, residents and workers accessing areas such as Southsea, Gunwharf and Old Portsmouth.
With the annual legal limit for nitrogen dioxide set at 40 µg/m³, Portsmouth’s Alfred Road received a rating of 40.4 in the most recent data published in 2024.
James McNally, a spokesperson for SDVH, said: “Polluted roads are rarely random. They are usually the result of traffic with nowhere to go. Tight junctions, frequent traffic lights, buses stopping, delivery vans unloading and cars idling in queues all create the perfect conditions for emissions to build up. In narrow city streets, that pollution simply hangs in the air. City centres are hit hardest because they combine heavy traffic with limited space for fumes to disperse.
“Congestion is one of the biggest drivers. Vehicles produce more nitrogen dioxide in stop-start traffic than they do at a steady speed. Idling engines, short journeys and constant braking and accelerating all add to the problem, meaning some roads never really get a chance to clear. Improving traffic flow, investing in public transport and encouraging cleaner vehicles can all help.
“Even simple steps, like switching off engines while waiting or avoiding peak-hour bottlenecks, can make a noticeable difference. Cleaner air is possible, but it requires long-term planning rather than quick fixes.”