AN MP has spoken out about the Dartford Crossing toll increase, saying he is 'optimistic motorists will see the back of them.'

Fresh out from a meeting with the Roads Minister, MP for Dartford Gareth Johnson told News Shopper the purpose of the increase in tolls is to ultimately remove them in the future.

He said: “It would cost £10m to remove the toll booths.

“The country is in such a dire financial state at the moment so the only way to fund this is by increasing the tolls. “I would like to see the back of the tolls by 2012 and this is something I have spoken to the Roads Minister about and he is not unsympathetic.

“Today we have made significant progress to ultimately remove the tolls."

When asked how he thinks the public will respond to the increase, Mr Johnson says he hopes motorists will understand.

He said: “I hope they realise it is in order to fund the ultimate removal of the toll booths.

“People come to me with their worries over congestion and pollution- these are the two biggest factors that I am working on.”

Facing accusations that he mislead the public over the potential removal of the tolls, Mr Johnson told News Shopper he had not been aware of the full details of the CPS.

He said: “It has always been my goal to achieve the removal of the toll booths, and I do believe this will happen by 2012.

“I am optimistic we will see the back of them, which will be fantastic for Dartford.”