The number of heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) travelling on UK roads fell by four per cent during the third quarter of 2008.

According to the latest road traffic and congestion statistics for the three months to September this year, overall traffic levels fell by 2.2 per cent compared with the same period of 2007.

Provisional estimates indicate that light van traffic remained unchanged during the quarter, while car traffic fell by two per cent.

Traffic on motorways dropped by two per cent, on rural 'A' roads by three per cent, on urban 'A' roads by two per cent and on both rural minor roads and urban minor roads by two per cent.

As a result of a dip in traffic during the quarter to September this year, average vehicle delay on the slowest ten per cent of journeys fell from 3.95 to 3.67 minutes per ten miles

Hauliers have witnessed a slide in growth over recent months and rising fuel prices, affecting profits across the sector.

Companies are urging fuel retailers to pass price cuts on to customers more swiftly after global oil prices halved from a record high of $147 (£93) per barrel in July this year.