Dartford Crossing charges to be made permanent

Alliance of British Drivers look to raise objection to proposal

The Department for Transport have announced that the Dartford Crossing toll will remain in force indefinitely.

The toll has been maintained despite a previous governmental promise in 1999 to end it when the crossing was paid for in 2003.

However in 2001 the government reneged on their promise, prompting widespread anger and condemnation from motorists, businesses and residents in the area.

The Dartford Crossing toll first received government approval in 1960, with the charge originally costing two shillings and sixpence, the equivalent of 12.5p. The Dartford Tunnel Act 1967 gave Kent and Essex County Councils authority to change the toll charges.

The charges for using the crossing have increased many times over the last six decades. A free-flow charging order was introduced, however this is due to expire in 2020. The government are now proposing to make it permanent. 

The Alliance of British Drivers (ABD) have stated that they will be putting in an objection to the proposal. 

Roger Lawson of the ABD said on their website: ‘It is completely unreasonable for the Government to break a promise on this matter, particularly as tolls on other river crossings such as that at the Severn Bridge have been removed.

‘There is simply no justification for the charges, or their level, at the Dartford Crossing and it’s purely a way for the Government to extract money from road users.’

Image Source: Geograph 

Image Author: Simon Leatherdale