Drivers are reminded advance construction work starts tonight ahead of a new scheme to improve journeys at the Dartford Crossing.

Dart Charge – a new remote payment system being introduced from October 2014 – will reduce congestion and ease traffic flow at the Crossing.

Instead of stopping at barriers to pay the crossing charge, drivers will pay online, by text, at one of numerous retail outlets, or by phone.

From tonight work starts to install the signage which will help drivers understand the new system.

Dartford MP Gareth Johnson said: “This takes us one step closer to the removal of the toll booths which have caused untold misery and congestion for motorists.

“Whilst I will always believe that we should be getting rid of the tolls in their entirety, this use of modern technology instead of toll booths will tackle the serious hold ups and pollution in the area.

“Local people are fed up with the problems associated with the booths themselves so removing them can’t come soon enough for me.”

To minimise disruption the work will be carried out mostly overnight, when traffic flows are lowest, and using lane closures already in place for routine maintenance work.

The work to install the signs will be completed over the summer.

Some sign faces will remain covered until the new payment arrangements are introduced.

It will take place overnight variously on the A282 on both approaches to the Crossing, the M25 both directions between junction 29 and junction 3, the A13 both directions approaching junction 30, and the M20 westbound between junctions 3 and 1.

On the A1306 both directions approaching junction 31, the A2 both directions approaching junction 2, the eastbound Bob Dunn Way in Dartford, and the southbound Crossways Boulevard in Dartford, it will take place during off-peak daytime hours.

The vast majority of the construction work taking place before Dart Charge is introduced from October will be carried out overnight, with minimal impact on road users.

The main construction work will take place after October when the existing payment booths will be removed and the road layout changed. This work will be completed by Spring 2015.

More information about Dart Charge can be found by visiting https://www.gov.uk/government/news/dart-charge-dartford-crossing-remote-payment