Dartford MP Gareth Johnson has claimed it would be “catastrophic” to build another Thames Crossing in the Dartford following new figures showing the amount of time drivers spend in traffic.

New figures released by data company INRIX show that drivers spend on average 32 hours per year in traffic jams during peak times in the UK.

Gareth Johnson said that these figures show the need for a second Thames crossing to alleviate the pressure from the Dartford Crossing, but for it to be east of Gravesend.

Mr Johnson said: “We are trying to deal with a problem in Dartford that should have been dealt with 15 years ago but nothing was done at that time to plan for the increased congestion on our local roads and we are therefore, to a certain extent, playing catch-up.

“The report highlights the necessity of having a Lower Thames Crossing away from the current over-congested Dartford Crossing."

Figures previously released by satnav company showed the average speed approaching the Dartford tunnels anticlockwise on the M25 during rush hour was 7.75mph.

Mr Johnson said: “Dartford residents have been suffering for far too long, we need a crossing east of Gravesend, it would be catastrophic to build another one at Dartford and that is why I am working with others against this and for a new crossing well away from Dartford.

“We also need measures to tackle the existing problems to help the traffic flows in Dartford whilst any new crossing is being built.”

It has been more than a year since Highways England invited feedback on plans for another tunnel linking Kent and Essex.

More than 47,000 people took part in the consultation but there has been no announcement from Highways England.