Heavy traffic in residential roads can limit peoples’ social lives by more than 75%, according to new work at the University of the West of England.

A study of three streets in north Bristol with light, medium and heavy traffic confirmed the results of a 1969 San Francisco study which showed how traffic damaged communities. It suggested traffic management and reduction in residential roads would improve peoples’ social lives and their physical health.

‘This study shows the deterioration of neighbourhoods in this country may well be down to our own travel habits,’ said UWE researcher, Joshua Hart. ‘We created this problem, and now we have to solve it.’

Traffic has grown tenfold in the UK since 1950, and the study found significant reductions in social interactions where it was heavy.

‘Traffic is like a mountain range, cutting you off,’ complained one resident.