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Traffic carrying goods and food across the over-capacity Dartford Crossing is now higher than ever after increasing by 9% since the pandemic with all journeys returning to pre-Covid levels, new data shows.
Highways England (HE) says the figures published today makes the case for the proposed new Lower Thames Crossing "stronger than ever".
Daily journeys at Dartford on average are well above the 135,000 capacity the tunnels and QEII bridge were designed for more than 60 years ago, HE says.
Since lockdown, 42% of vehicles using the crossing have been carrying goods which has gone up from 33% in 2019.
The data shows traffic levels during the first national lockdown brought in to force in March 2020 had dropped by up to 62.5% to 68,288 in April last year compared to the 182,658 on the equivalent day 12 months earlier.
But HE says the number of daily journeys throughout the majority of 2020 were more than Dartford Crossing is designed to take.
In December, the bridge and tunnels took more HGV traffic than ever before and levels for overall journeys have returned to their pre-pandemic numbers.
The Lower Thames Crossing (LTC) proposals would see a new 14-mile route connecting the A2 in Kent between Gravesend and the Medway towns and the M25 and A13 in Essex by a tunnel under the River Thames.
Matt Palmer, LTC executive director said: “The Covid-19 pandemic has had a momentous impact on every part of our daily lives including when and how we travel. Throughout the pandemic the Dartford Crossing played and continues to play a crucial role in almost everything we do from delivering essential goods to our shelves and our doorsteps, to visiting friends and family or getting to work.
"These figures show the case for the Lower Thames Crossing is stronger than ever, the changes as result of the pandemic although having dramatic impact on traffic more widely, have not impacted the strategic traffic crossing Dartford, this only reinforces how crucial crossing the Thames is to our way of life.
“Despite improvements and 24-hour monitoring, the Dartford crossing is still over design capacity and that inevitably causes congestion and delays.
"The Lower Thames Crossing would almost double road capacity crossing the Thames east of London, providing a reliable connection that will add billions to the economy. But it also has a more immediate role in the economic recovery from Covid-19 by creating tens of thousands of jobs and hundreds of opportunities for local people and businesses in its construction.”
The roads agency says the £8.2bn scheme will take 36,000 vehicles away from Dartford every day through the new tunnel and will double road capacity in the area.
But critics noted this would still leave the Dartford Crossing almost 20,000 vehicles above capacity.
HE data shows the Dartford Crossing's busiest ever day was on February 20, 2018 when 206,713 vehicles used it.
Results from a survey carried out by HE about its proposals for LTC have also revealed 88% of businesses which use the Dartford Crossing support its plans.
Some 2,299 Dart Charge business account holders were asked to comment with 82% saying current traffic congestion at Dartford continues to be a major challenge for business.
Almost nine in 10 (89%) said they "would value" an alternative road crossing east of the Dartford Crossing.
Dave Lilly, proprietor of Lilly Transport said: “We lose up to 20 hours a week on each vehicle due to congestion. The Lower Thames Crossing will provide major relief by removing a large amount of traffic travelling east from the present crossings.”
Launching a new round of consultations last month, HE said it would be using less land and increasing the amount of green space for communities with two new public parks and more than 46km of pathways.
The consultation ends on September 8 with pop-up events and online questionnaires available throughout the period. For more information visit www.highwaysengland.co.uk/ltcconsultation
If permission for the LTC is granted, building is expected to start in 2024 with an opening date proposed between 2029 and 2030.
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