Traffic levels in West Yorkshire have risen by 12 per cent over the past decade, according to Government figures.

The Department for Transport has said since 1997 traffic levels have risen in line with the average for England.

Other parts of Yorkshire fared worse, with a 19 per cent rise in North Yorkshire and 16 per cent in South Yorkshire.

The largest increase in England was in Northamp-tonshire, where traffic levels rose by a fifth. Other large rises were recorded in Gloucestershire, Durham and Northumberland.

Norman Baker MP, who uncovered the figures, said it showed the Government was failing to deal with climate change and congestion.

"They say they are serious about tackling climate change, but everywhere except London traffic levels keep on rising with congestion accordingly becoming more and more of a problem," he said.

"Perhaps this is no surprise given that the cost of motoring has continued to go down under this Government while the cost of public transport has rocketed."

Central London was the only place in England where traffic levels were lower in 2006 than a decade ago.

Last year a delegation from Bradford's Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) lobbied MPs over the severity of traffic congestion on the region's roads.

FSB Yorkshire and Humber policy chairman Chris Glen said: "Traffic is a problem for businesses in the area.

"We have increased traffic but inadequate infrastructure. We have the lowest level of spending in the country and transport is not good enough."

  • Start or join a debate on this issue in our online forum - Click here