Tolls set to increase by 50% at the Dartford River Crossing

One of the most beautiful bridges in the UK, the Queen Elizabeth II bridge at the Dartford Crossing. You drive over into Kent and return via the Dartford tunnel into Essex.

The Department for Transport recently concluded it’s low key survey about the Dartford River Crossing. The survey was so low key, they only received 67 responses… and they used these to make some changes.

Tolls are set to increase by 50% in the sutumn as a result of the survey.  Motorists will now pay £1.50 to drive a car over the bridge or through the tunnel. Vans will pay £2.00 and Lorries will now pay £3.70 although there is no longer a charge if you use a trailer.

There is good news on the horizon, for residents of Thurrock and Dartford, rather than businesses based there. Residents can pay a £10 admin charge and get 50 free crosssings, and only have to pay 20p per crossing thereafter.

In the last set of accounts (2006-2007) the crossing made £47 million in profit for the treasury, straight into the chancellors coffers. So why the increase? is £47 million not enough? Apparently not, and its businesses and residents local to Dartford and Thurrock that will pay for this.

The extra money is allegedly to ease congestion! Next they will make it a low emmission area… I have never heard anything so ridiculous – where have they spent any money? Where have they eased the congestion? The money from the Dartford River Crossing needs to be spent on roads in Dartford and Thurrock and not on the MP’s ‘John Lewis Lists’

That lovely bridge is just a money spinner with no regard to it’s neighbours.

Sarah

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