The number of foreign-registered goods vehicles using British roads hit a record 1.7 million last year.

The amount has soared since the early 1990s, as in 1992 this figure stood at just under 400,000.

The rise is put down to lower fuel and wage costs on the continent, which mean UK hauliers are losing contracts to foreign logistics companies.

“One in eight of the heaviest vehicles on Britain’s road network is now a foreign vehicle.

While in Britain, these vehicles are able to take advantage of the competitive edge that low-taxed foreign diesel purchased in Luxembourg and France is able to give them,” said Simon Chapman, the Freight Transport Association’s chief economist.

Last year nearly half a million – or almost a third – of all foreign trucks entering the UK were from the 12 countries that joined the EU from 2004 onwards.

This unprecedented rise in the number of foreign goods vehicles on British roads has caused major problems, including a significant increase in side-swipe collisions where trucks swap lanes and hit overtaking cars.