Motorists across the UK have been urged to join a protest against a planned 50% price hike in toll charges at the Dartford River Crossing. The rise in the fee from £1 to £1.50 to enter or leave Kent on the M25 follows an 18-month public consultation into the future of charging and is expected to be introduced in the autumn. Just think how much money they get a day now let alone putting it up.

The Dartford toll is now seen as a stealth tax which is adding to the misery of motorists already struggling to cope with the effects of fuel prices spiralling out of control. What will be next? The supporters of the change say that motorists will benefit from free travel between 10pm and 6am, which is designed to encourage off peak travel to reduce congestion. Who wants to travel those hours?

The crossing, consisting of two tunnels and a cable bridge connecting Dartford with Thurrock, is operated jointly by Le Crossing Company Ltd and the Department of Transport. A DfT spokesman said that “We recognise that traffic levels are bad but we are already taking steps to try and reduce the level of congestion through the Dart Tag scheme and dropping charges at night time. Our modelling shows that at peak times the bridge and tunnels can be overwhelmed so the fee is intended more as a congestion charge, which is then lifted at quieter times.”

Are you willing to pay £1.50 to cross Dartford?

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