Drivers using the Dartford Crossing without paying the toll charge were fined £53 million last year.

According to new figures, nearly one in 10 crossing users do not pay the Dart Charge and are fined £70.

The accounts for the last year showed an eight per cent increase in traffic since the toll booths were taken away and the crossing went to a 'free flow' system.

A Highways England spokesman said: "Dart Charge was introduced to reduce severe congestion at the Dartford Crossing by removing the need for drivers to stop at a barrier to pay the crossing charge.

"These latest set of accounts for the Dartford Crossing show that Dart Charge is being administered efficiently and effectively, with proceeds to be ploughed back into improving the UK transport network.

“The accounts show that the vast majority of drivers are paying their Dart Charge and that non-payment is being followed up appropriately.

"More than 93 per cent of drivers pay Dart Charge on time, which compares well to any other similar scheme worldwide.”

There has been increasing pressure to build a new Lower Thames Crossing to ease congestion at the Dartford Crossing, with it consistently operating at over capacity.

An announcement on a new crossing will not be until after the May county elections.

Local politicians, including Dartford MP Gareth Johnson have openly supported option C, a crossing east of Gravesend.

Speaking to the News Shopper, leader of Dartford Labour Jonathon Hawkes said: “We’ve always supported Option C and we consistently said that the government should name the location as soon as possible so that residents and business is both locations can begin planning and so that work can begin.”

Dartford Crossing’s total income was 161.6 million last year, up over £60 million from the year before.