"I'm pleased that we're making some progress towards mitigating the levels of traffic congestion in our region."
VOA: standard.2010.07.26
But the traffic increase has slowed progress in reducing emissions further, and people in many areas still suffer from nitrogen-related air pollution, including small particulates that get sucked deep into the lungs, and ground-level ozone - a strongly irritant gas formed by the action of sunlight on reactive nitrogen.
He said that the first quarter of 2008 would confirm the company's progress, thanks to a boost in road traffic through the tunnel and "outstanding" growth from the Eurostar passenger rail service.
With traffic and traffic lights there to confound smooth progress, putting a foot down when the road does finally open up is one of the few ways an urban driver can exert some control over a journey.