Rush-hour traffic in London continues to rise with SEVEN per cent more cars on the roads compared to last week despite increase in congestion charge from £11.50 to £15

Traffic congestion in London continued to increase today as coronavirus lockdown restrictions fall, with rush-hour levels up again despite the congestion charge rising.

TomTom traffic data showed a 29 per cent congestion level as of 9am - a rise of 7 per cent or 2 percentage points on the 27 per cent figure at the same time last week.

The 8am figure was 28 per cent, which was the same as last week, while the 7am level was also 28 per cent, above the 27 per cent level at the same time last week.

The rise in traffic will have been boosted by the warmer weather - with Britons still on furlough likely to be making more trips to see family and friends outdoors as temperatures in southern England hit 84F (29C) today and 93F (34C) by Thursday. 

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Heavy traffic on the M25 motorway anti-clockwise in Kent this morning after a car broke down in one of the tunnels at the Dartford Crossing leading to Essex

Meanwhile Apple mobility data based on requests for directions under its Maps app shows that journeys continue to rise in London as the UK comes out of lockdown.

Requests for driving are down 29 per cent, walking down 57 per cent and public transport down 64 per cent based on a January baseline - but this is much higher than the figures seen in April which got as low as nearly 90 per cent down.

The rise in traffic this week comes despite a 30 per cent rise in London's congestion charge from £11.50 to £15 and an extension in its hours of operation.

Transport for London said the temporary measures - which both came into force yesterday - were introduced under the terms of its £1.6 billion Government bailout.

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TomTom traffic data for London showed a 29 per cent congestion level as of 9am - a rise from 27 per cent at the same time last week. The 8am figure was 28 per cent, the same as last week; while the 7am level was also 28 per cent, above the 27 per cent at the same time last week

Charges were previously enforced on weekdays between 7am and 6pm, but have now been extended to between 7am and 10pm, seven days a week. 

Why was the London congestion charge increased to £15? 

The congestion charge - the daily fee for driving a car into central London - rose from £11.50 to £15 yesterday.

Charges were previously enforced on weekdays between 7am and 6pm, but will now be extended to between 7am and 10pm, seven days a week. 

Transport for London is concerned about major congestion in the capital, with data showing the number of cars in the zone is already the same as before lockdown started on March 23.

It has therefore increased the charge to discourage people from driving amid fears levels could double if those who would have used public transport get behind the wheel instead.

This would result in insufficient space on the streets for the higher number of people walking and cycling to ensure compliance with social distancing

Apple mobility data based on requests for directions under its Maps app shows that journeys continue to rise in London. Requests for driving are down 29 per cent, walking down 57 per cent and public transport down 64 per cent based on a January baseline figure

Throwing the dice with the economy threatening to go into meltdown, the Prime Minister will halve the two-metre social distancing rule crippling thousands of businesses and announce a return for staycations.

There is also speculation that people will be permitted to meet up in each other's homes, although it is understood the proposal will not be the same as Northern Ireland where up to six people can gather indoors from today.

It is not clear whether the blueprint - being signed off by the Cabinet this morning before Mr Johnson makes a statement to the Commons later - will mean children can hug their grandparents yet. Reports suggest a mooted expansion of social 'bubbles', which would allow people to mix freely in groups, might have been dropped.  

In a sign of the risks involved, Mr Johnson will warn that the changes will be reversed immediately if people abuse the new rules and the disease flares up again.