by Jo Sword

The M25 has been named the worst in the UK when it comes to road closures, according to the AA.

Accidents and incidents shut it for a total of eight-and-a-half days - or more than 200 hours - between January and August this year.

The M2 came ninth in the national list: it was closed for a total of two days over the same period.

As a result the motoring organisation is calling for the Government to do more to fight congestion following accidents.

AA President, Edmund King, said: “We must be smarter and address the growing problem of motorway and main road closures.

"Whilst we understand that fatalities must be fully investigated the increase, duration and traffic management of closures must be addressed.

"Whilst new high speed rail links are seen as the panacea, they come at a high price and do little or nothing to combat traffic congestion.

"We need to remember that rail caters for just six or seven per cent of passenger journeys so we cannot overlook problems on the roads.”