Get a move on Chancellor! That is what road hauliers are demanding over the delayed decision for a new Lower Thames Crossing – a delay that is costing them millions in traffic jams.

The industry’s Freight Transport Association (FTA) this week fired off a letter to Chancellor George Osborne, calling on him to prioritise the project in his Autumn Budget Statement.

The letter signed by FTA chief executive David Wells focuses particularly on the Dartford Crossing where congestion is predicted to reach pre-barrier free levels by 2020. Millions of journeys from all over the UK are made by road hauliers through that spot.

Scroll down for audio

It comes as Highways England released figures claiming commuters are saving 90 minutes a week since the opening of the freeflow system.

The logistics industry reckons delays to its operators is costing them £1 for every minute an HGV sits stranded in the bottlenecks, a line of never-ending misery for drivers.

“Congestion costs our industry millions of pounds every year,” said Mr Wells, “and the lack of an alternative to the Dartford Crossing isn’t just a problem for the South East.

“Businesses across the UK rely on deliveries of materials to and from Europe and the M25 is the main gateway to the Midlands and the North. We need a further crossing to increase capacity and make journey times more reliable.

“There could be no better way for the government to demonstrate its commitment to the Northern Powerhouse.”

The letter, now sitting on the Chancellor’s desk, was in collaboration with a number of other organisations, including the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SE LEP), Eurotunnel, the Port of Dover and London Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The government is due to carry out a consultation on two proposals for a new Thames Crossing at the end of this year and make an announcement about which will be approved next June.

The two options are for a crossing close to the existing bridge and tunnel at Dartford, called Option A, or one connecting the A2 and M2 to the M25 via the A13, named Option C.

Proposals for a crossing through the Swanscombe Peninsula – Option B – were scrapped after objections from developers wanting to build a £3.2 billion Paramount resort on the site.

In a separate statement, SE LEP confirmed it had thrown its weight behind the call for the Chancellor to reaffirm his support for a new Lower Thames Crossing.

SE LEP champions the economic wellbeing of Kent, East Sussex, Essex, Medway, Southend and Thurrock, through its partnership of public and private sector organisations.

The group of major businesses on either side of the Thames in Kent and Essex have come together to argue that the crossing is one of the most important infrastructure projects in the South East, and is of national significance.

They want the government to set a firm timetable and financial package for its delivery to support the growth of new jobs, skills, apprenticeships, and increased productivity, as part of the forthcoming Autumn Statement and the Comprehensive Spending Review.

SE LEP interim chairman George Kieffer said: “It’s a truly transformational project for the economy of the Thames Estuary, and beyond.

“When the existing Dartford River Crossing is closed or heavily congested there’s a knock-on effect that can impact on businesses across the country, including those in the much vaunted Northern Powerhouse.

“At the moment, the possible location of a new crossing point are two vague outlines on a map. There’s no commitment to funding or delivery, which we need to see to progress our plans for further long-term investment in the area.”

The signatories believe that doing nothing, or delaying it, is not an option as the Dartford Crossing is a crucial transport artery and already over capacity. Another crossing would make trade easier, quicker, more reliable and cheaper for UK plc.

Jo James, SE LEP board member and chief executive of Kent Invicta Chamber, said: “The Lower Thames Crossing is much more than just a new bridge or tunnel to relieve congestion.

“It represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reinvigorate local development, create new jobs and stimulate investment by supporting nationally important industries.

“It would improve our connectivity to Europe and competitiveness, and at the same time regenerate an overlooked part of southern England.”