Gridlock on Britain's roads is set to get worse, the transport secretary has admitted.

Interviewed in the Economist magazine, Alistair Darling admitted the target to cut delays by six per cent between 2001 and 2011 would not be achieved.

"The best we can do is hold it steady; it will either get worse or we can hold it steady," he said.

Forum Response: Institute of Directors

Graeme Leach, chief economist at the IoD, told ePolitix.com: "This admission from the transport secretary really is no surprise. The IoD has long argued for more roads and road pricing. At last we might be getting more roads but we seem to be a long way off from road pricing."