The Federation of Small Businesses has warned the government that delays in backing for a new Thames crossing are damaging the UK economy.
The BBC reports that, in a letter to the chancellor, they said delays threaten to "bring the South East to a standstill", and that the Dartford Crossing is "creaking under the pressure" of 50 million vehicles crossing each year.
The report says the FSB, together with the Kent and Medway Federation of Small Businesses, the Freight Transport Association, the Port of Dover and the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry are calling on the chancellor, ahead of the budget, to guarantee the "earliest delivery" of the new crossing.
They wrote: "As our current infrastructure network stands, it threatens to bring the South East to a standstill.
"With so much of the country's international trade conducted through ports in the South East, this poor connectivity is hampering the UK economy at large."
The Department of Transport (DoT) says a decision on the Lower Thames Crossing would be made "in due course".
