Nick Lyes told a webinar event on Tuesday that, according to the group’s research, dependence on private cars has been growing in recent years while congestion continues to worsen.

Three quarters of motorists reported last year that they would find it difficult to adjust their lifestyle to not using a car, he added. But the Coronavirus lockdown has led many people to re-evaluate whether they need a vehicle for certain types of journey.

“We did a snapshot poll which showed since the lockdown began that actually people were split quite starkly between those who believe that the Covid-19 crisis has made having a car much more important, and those who feel it has made it much less important,” he said.

Key trends seen during recent weeks have included many more people working from home as well as increased rates of walking and cycling.

“I think people are learning things like walking into the town centre doesn’t always take that long, and can be quite pleasant, particularly given the wonderful weather we have been having.

“Also more people have been using bicycles so I think there might be a shift towards those sorts of transport modes for shorter journeys,” he added. “When you throw micro mobility like electric scooters in, if they become legalised that may shift travel patterns further.”

However, he emphasised that car dependence is likely to remain for many people particularly when it comes to certain types of journeys, for example weekly trips to the supermarket.

Chairing the webinar event on priorities for local roads – organised by the Westminster Energy, Environment & Transport Forum – was Transport Select Committee member Ruth Cadbury MP.

She highlighted that the committee has this week launched an inquiry to explore likely safety and legal implications of allowing electric scooters to be used on UK roads.