Britain's transport system is the worst in Europe, according to a new report.

The study, commissioned by the government on the state of British transport, revealed a system rated one of the worst in Europe following 50 years of under-investment.

The report, by the Commission for Integrated Transport, shows decline in all modes of transport.

UK travellers walk less than the rest of Europe with the exception of Greece, while the use of coaches and busses continues to fall. British fuel tax remains the highest in the EU, while 82 per cent of road journeys are by car compared to 12 per cent by public transport. A quarter of main roads in Britain are jammed for at least an hour per day.

Rail fares in Britain are only lower than those in Denmark and Sweden, and subsidies for the railway are the lowest in Europe. The average commuting time for a British worker is 46 minutes, almost double that of their Italian counterparts. Blame is placed on the lack of investment over the last half-century, as only 15 per cent of income is spent on transport.

Professor David Begg, the chairman of the commission, said: "This report demonstrates what a mountain we have to climb. The decisions that we take now as a nation will determine whether we end up with a US-style car culture or a sustainable European multi-model system."

Begg claimed that the government's ten-year plan for transport policy, which involves £180 billion investment, will only begin the necessary improvements.

Transport secretary Stephen Byers admitted that there were problems with the state of British transport, but placed the blame more with Railtrack and the former Conservative government.

Speaking to the BBC Radio 4 Today programme, he said: "The 10-year plan started in April, the money is coming through. Most investors can see a clear distinction between the failed privatisation that was Railtrack and the need to develop public private partnerships for our transport system and the money is coming through and people will see a real difference and I will be content as transport secretary to be judged on those improvements."