The Highways Agency has revealed images today (October 13) of how the Dartford Crossing will look after the introduction of the Dart Charge. 

The images show the difference the congestion-easing project will make to the Crossing with the payment booths removed.

The new technology will allow motorists to pay through a variety of methods including telephone, text message, online and at retail outlets, giving drivers greater flexibility in how and when they pay the charge.

The 27-lane payment plaza will be replaced by four open lanes in each direction and the approach to the tunnels will be enhanced with technology and dedicated extra lanes to identify and turn away prohibited vehicle types from the tunnels.

In September the project was criticised for being delayed by a month.

Work to remove the payment booths will now coincide with Dart Charge going live in late November (as opposed to this month), and is expected to be complete next spring.

Dart Charge project director Nigel Gray said: "It's only when the booths have been removed the full benefits of Dart Charge will be felt, and we will get underway on this work at the same time that the new payment arrangements begin.

“It's complicated work - especially on the northbound carriageway, where we need to protect the tunnels - one of which was built in the 1960s and has a lower height restriction - from over-height vehicles.

“We’ll be completely redesigning the approach to the tunnels to detect and turn around these vehicles and other vehicles not suitable for the tunnels, using a system of signals, barriers and extra lanes, while keeping all other traffic flowing as much as possible.”

The scheme is part of government plans to improve traffic flow at the vital gateway between Kent and Essex. 

Visit gov.uk/highways/dartford