DARTFORD residents can now enjoy unlimited journeys across the Dartford Crossing for just £20.

The changes to the existing residents scheme were announced by the Department for Transport this morning and have been described as Dartford MP Gareth Johnson as “very welcome.”

They are due to be implemented from next month and will be offered alongside the current scheme, which allows Dartford residents to pay £10 for 50 journeys over the crossing.

Privately owned vans weighing less than 3.5 tonnes will also be able to opt into the scheme from March next year for the first time.

Mr Johnson said: “People in Dartford are sick and tired of the problems caused by the Dartford Crossing so this improvement, announced today, is very welcome.

“It will help both local residents and local businesses who for the first time will receive a discount on using the crossing.

“I still maintain that the tolls should be removed in their entirety but this change will significantly help.”

He added: “We have moved a long way from the days when Gordon Brown wanted to sell off the crossing.

“We now are removing the toll booths, helping local people with the cost and tackling the problems associated with the crossing.”

Residents living in Thurrock will be able to enjoy the same benefits, which the Department for Transport say will benefit around 4,000 people.

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: “Local businessmen and women use the Dartford crossing regularly to make deliveries into Essex and Kent.

“They are the backbone of British industry and that is why I am keen to find new ways we can make their lives cheaper and easier.

“At a cost of just over 5p a day we will help thousands of small businesses keep their costs down as well as saving money for those who currently belong to the residents’ discount scheme.”

More than 24,000 people are currently signed up to the resident discount scheme across Dartford and Thurrock.