An animation released by National Highways shows the “unprecedented levels” of traffic that use the Dartford Crossing every Friday, as the organisation looks to lobby support for the proposed Lower Thames Crossing.
According to National Highways, despite having “one of the largest traffic teams in the country” working around the clock to keep it moving, the “huge demand” on the Dartford Crossing makes it one of the most unreliable sections of the strategic road network, with more than 3,000 incidents said to be reported a year.
It said the road suffers from “severe congestion”, with tailbacks that spread for miles along connecting major roads such as the M25, A13 and A2 as well as causing gridlock on local roads and poor air quality in areas such as Dartford due to the volume of slow moving and stationary traffic.
National Highways data shows that Fridays at the Dartford Crossing see sustained high volumes of traffic and congestion, from mid-morning well into the evening.
Matt Palmer, executive director, Lower Thames Crossing, said: “There has never been a more urgent need to address the problems at Dartford Crossing and keep the UK economy moving.
“The best and only solution is the Lower Thames Crossing – it will take over 13 million vehicles off the Dartford Crossing each year, meaning journeys across the River Thames will become quicker, more reliable and less stressful.”
The Dartford Crossing is currently the only road crossing of the River Thames east of London, connecting key ports, distribution hubs and manufacturing centres, with almost 40% of vehicles using it carrying goods.
It opened in 1963 with a single tunnel, before a second tunnel was added in 1981 and the Queen Elizabeth II bridge in 1991.
Demand has reportedly increased from around two million vehicle crossings a year when the first tunnel opened, to in excess of 50 million today.
Designed for 135,000 vehicles per day, it is now said to be used by over 150,000 vehicles per day.
According to National Highways, on a typical day the levels of congestion means 95% northbound journeys in the evening peak are delayed, and almost two out of three northbound journeys between 4pm and 5pm take twice as long as they should.
What’s more, it claimed that, during the northbound evening peak, on average three times every month a journey will take at least five times longer than it should.
