Rush-hour traffic is slowing down across England, according to a new report.

Research by the Department of Transport revealed that peak time traffic has slowed by 0.5 mph between 1999 and 2002, but off-peak speeds have stayed the same.

Leicester has the slowest rush-hour traffic in England, moving at under 16 mph, and Teeside has the fastest, at almost 35 mph, the survey revealed.

The average speed during rush hour in urban areas outside London in 2002 was below 16 mph.

It's very much down to local traffic policies - it could even be a major employer moving premises Paul Watters, AA

Blackpool had the lowest off-peak speed, at 18 mph.

The biggest difference between peak time and off-peak speeds was in the Leeds and Bradford area, where the average off-peak speed was more than 7 mph faster than the average peak speed.

Head of Roads and Transport Policy for AA Motoring Trust Paul Watters said: "It's hard to put a handle on what is causing particular issues like high or low speeds locally.

"It is very much down to local traffic policies, roadworks - it could even be a major employer moving premises".

He added the national decline in speeds could be attributed to "gating", the practice of slowing down traffic light systems to encourage motorists to use public transport instead.