(DFT) National travel survey: 2006

The main changes between 1995/97 and 2006 include:

* The average annual distance travelled by residents in Great Britain rose by 2 per cent to around 7,100 miles in 2006, reflecting a 7 per cent increase in the average length of trip from 6.4 miles to 6.9 miles.

* The average number of trips per person per year fell by 4 per cent to about 1,040.

* The average time spent travelling around Great Britain has increased by 4 per cent to 383 hours per person per year, or just over an hour a day.

* The proportion of households in Great Britain without access to a car fell from 30 per cent to 25 per cent in 2006.

* The proportion of women holding a full car driving licence increased from 57 to 63 per cent, while the proportion of men holding a licence remained at 81 per cent. Licence holding among all those aged 70 and over rose from 38 to 50 per cent.

* The proportion of the total distance travelled by car remained stable at around four fifths of the total distance travelled. Nearly a quarter of all car trips were shorter than two miles in length in 2006.

* The number of walking trips per person per year fell by 15 per cent.

* The number of trips by bus in London per person per year increased by 23 per cent while trips by bus outside London fell by 8 per cent.

* The number of commuting trips per person per year fell by 8 per cent, but the average trip length rose by 6 per cent and the average trip time increased by 15 per cent.

* The proportion of primary-aged children walking to school remained fairly constant at just over half and there was a slight increase, from 38 to 41 per cent, in the proportion being driven to school. For secondary school pupils, the proportion travelling to school on foot and by car stayed at around two-fifths and one fifth respectively.

* Although few people make domestic flights, the proportion using them at least once a year increased from 8 to 12 per cent. Nearly two-fifths of respondents made at least one international flight from Great Britain in 2006.