New statistics released by the UK's Department for Transport show that HGV's are shunning the main channel crossings to Europe at the Dover Straits in order to avoid the permanently congested M25 motorway. For the first year on record, the number of goods vehicles crossing from Dover, Folkestone, Ramsgate and the Channel Tunnel fell by over 13,000 during 2003 while East Coast ports reported an increase of 63,000. UK South Coast ports also saw a gain of 15,300 vehicles. 'Although the Dover Straits still see 60% of goods traffic, there is no doubt that the high levels of congestion on and around the M25 are making our members seek better routes', said James Hookham, Policy Director at the Freight Transport Association .