A leading business group in Kent has stopped short of endorsing a campaign by a haulage firm which aims to cut congestion by forcing oversized lorries to avoid the Dartford Crossing.

Yet Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce hailed a “positive meeting” with Andrew Baxter, managing director of Europa Worldwide Group, which is seeking support to bolster its Stop the Convoys initiative.

Mr Baxter gained public attention in October when he launched his campaign to send hazardous and oversized vehicles the other way around the M25 rather than through the Dartford Tunnel.

He said the move would potentially save 2.5 hours of traffic jams at the crossing each day, despite only inconveniencing less than 1% of total traffic which uses the tunnel.

More than 2,000 people have signed a petition launched by the company, which would end about 100 daily convoys, equivalent to at least one of the tunnels being closed every 15 minutes.

Jo James, chief executive of the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, said: “There’s no denying that the congestion at the tunnel causes economic and environmental damage and has an impact on businesses – particularly those using the tunnel on a frequent basis.

“We had a very positive discussion with Andrew Baxter about these issues and the chamber will continue to work on behalf of its members to find a workable solution to this ever-growing problem.”

Dartford-based Europa has also called for an official investigation into the height restriction on the left-hand tunnel, which cannot be used by vehicles in excess of 4.8m – shorter than the height of standard double deck trailers.

Mr Baxter said: “We launched our Stop the Convoys campaign in a bid to try and make a positive change at the tunnel, but the repercussions of the daily jams are not just felt by us alone at Europa, they’re suffered by thousands of other motorists and businesses that have to bear the delays every day.

“It’s those people and organisations who can make the biggest difference.

“It’s simple – time is a precious commodity and the loss of it costs businesses money.

“We’ve done our bit so far, we’ve welcomed alternative suggestions, we’re engaging with the right people, now with the help of the Kent Invicta Chamber we’re actively targeting the support of other local businesses, bringing them on board and asking them to help spread the word.”