Nearly 3,000 foreign lorries are avoiding paying charges at the Dartford Crossing every week, according to statistics uncovered through the Freedom of Information Act.

More than 150,000 foreign-registered lorries have evaded paying for the Dart Charge in the last 12 months.

The number of foreign hauliers who failed to pay the £6 charge stood at 154,502.

In comparison, there were 87,215 UK-based HGVs who failed to pay the charge - nearly 68,000 fewer.

The data was obtained by Liberal Democrat county councillors who say it underlines there is a case for changing the system.

There have been renewed calls for the government to consider dropping the charge after the decision by the Welsh Assembly to scrap charges on the two Severn crossings.

Cllr Ian Chittenden (Lib Dem) said: “The continued failure to collect tolls from foreign registered vehicles is getting ridiculous.

"A new system should be introduced as quickly as possible, and the new Lower Thames Crossing should have a consistent system when completed and open for use.”

Highways England, which provided the figures, said that despite the high number, 80% of foreign registered lorries did pay the charge.

At the same time, Highways England said close to 95% of UK hauliers did pay the charge.

Charges apply through the day but between 10pm and 6am, it is free.

Ashford MP Damian Green said the principle that users of big schemes should pay for them was a good one.

Speaking on KMTV’s Paul On Politics show he said: “It is a bit like rail fares; people don’t mind paying for a decent service.

"If people were asked if they were prepared to pay what is a relatively small charge for a decent service, they would.”

The Liberal Democrats have also called on the government to ensure that other parts of the Kent road network are improved.

Cllr Chittenden said much-needed improvements to critical link roads such as the A299, A249 and M2 have been ignored.

The earlier proposals included plans for major improvements to the A229 Bluebell Hill or the A249 Detling Hill, both of which are accident black spots and are frequently seriously congested.

Essential improvements to these link roads between the M2 and the M20 have been removed from the latest plans.

He said: “The decision not to improve the link roads serving the crossing – already accident black spots – risks worsening traffic problems in years to come. Exactly the opposite outcome we all want.”

Department for Transport spokesperson said: “Abolishing tolls on the Severn Bridge was a manifesto commitment of the Government which is being implemented. It will make a huge difference to motorists and drive new job and business opportunities in Wales and the South West.

“The charge at Dartford is fundamentally different in nature and is crucial for managing traffic and journey times for road users across South East England.”