Dartford Crossing toll rises date set (From News Shopper)

Dartford Crossing toll rises date set

12:28pm Tuesday 4th September 2012 in News By Tim MacFarlan, Bexley and north Kent reporter

NEW charges for the Dartford to Thurrock river crossing will be introduced from Sunday October 7, it has been announced.

From 6am on that date cash payments at the crossing will increase from £1.50 to £2.00 for cars, from £2.00 to £2.50 for two axle goods vehicles, and from £3.70 to £5.00 for heavy goods vehicles.

Any vehicle using the crossing between 10pm and 6am can continue to do so for free.

Kent County Councillor Brian Sweetland, cabinet member for environment, highways and waste, said: "I am concerned that toll charges at the Dartford Crossing are being increased without any improvement to the congestion problems.  

"Local residents, businesses and road users will share my disappointment over this announcement and I call on the new transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin to address these very significant concerns as soon as possible.

"Congestion at the Dartford Crossing and its approaches costs the UK economy some £40m every year and is now a serious hindrance to encouraging economic growth in north Kent."