Oversized and hazardous goods lorries should be banned from using the Dartford Crossing in a bid to reduce traffic jams, free up local roads and to improve local air quality.

According to Highways England, 55 million journeys are made each year at the Dartford Crossing, a road designed for 49 million. And with the Lower Thames Crossing yet to start work let alone being completed something needs to be done now.

With lorry numbers constantly increasing, it causes road chaos in Dartford and the surrounding areas with journey times that would usually take minutes, up to an hour if not longer. 

The crossing is closed for half an hour or more up to 300 times a year, with the closest alternative tunnel - Blackwall Tunnel - 27 miles away.

By making HGV's and hazardous lorries go clockwise on the M25 going past Heathrow instead, it could increase air quality and reduce traffic congestion in Dartford and the surrounding areas.