Lorry operators in the 10 EU accession states have seen traffic volumes to the UK double over the last year, according to the Department of Transport.

Figures show that in the second quarter of 2005 traffic volume from the 10 new states has increased by over three and a half times since 2003.

The highest percentage comes from Poland, which accounts for 31 per cent of traffic and is up 36 per cent from last year’s figures.

Czechoslovakia and Hungary volumes are up 23 per cent and 87 per cent respectively, and have a joint volume of 25 per cent.

In 1996, UK hauliers made up half of all international traffic, but competition from eastern Europe meant that by 2004, their market share had fallen to just 25 per cent.

Cheaper running costs outside the UK and the appreciation of the pound against the Euro are mainly responsible.

However, the market share by both foreign and UK lorries have increased at a similar rate since the last report in 2004, indicating that UK market share is now stabilising.

Overall, there are around 10,000 foreign registered lorries operating on UK roads daily and ten percent of those are from outside the EU, and none of these lorries pay to operate on UK roads.