A frustrated Orpington commuter has started a petition to allow drivers to claim money back if they are delayed on the Dartford Crossing.

38-year-old Anand Surve uses the crossing as part of his daily commute and estimates that he faces delays ‘two to three times a week’.

Mr Surve, who lives in Spring Shaw Road, started the petition out of 'frustration', and believes drivers should be offered something similar to the ‘Delay Repay’ scheme that is available to rail passengers.

He said: “I have been commuting [using the Dartford Crossing] for almost two years. Every time I will get stuck in traffic.

“It could be accidents or road works or weather conditions. You think, you pay for it, why should this happen all the time. We have to travel through the tunnel, there is no public transport. The best way is just to ask for the money back.

“It happens almost every day, two to three days in a week easily."

Mr Surve, who is an engineer, said the delays impact his family life and his employers.

He said: “I lose my time, my employers are affected, my family is affected, if I need to pick my daughter up. At the end of the day you lose time, quality time with my family, and I’m paying for it.”

On the government petition website he has written: “The purpose of this petition is to request a provision for refund and / or compensation to the drivers on the toll charges who loose time and money due to long traffic delays whilst crossing the toll operated roads, bridges or tunnels on regular basis. Journeys take 5 times longer in long delays.

“Accidents, incidents, maintenance works, weather conditions etc. - lost working time, disruption to family life, and increased stress levels.

“Toll charges contribute towards improving the quality of driving and reduce delays. When this fails it would be fair that the operators refund the toll charges during the event of traffic delays.

“Rail commuters are entitled for a refund on their season tickets. Similar performance indicator must be operated to toll roads.”

Mr Suave is not only concerned with Dart Charge and would also like to see charges refunded after delays on toll roads nationwide.

A car crossing costs £2.50, without a Dart Charge account, and the charge is £1.67 each way with an account.

The petition, which currently has more than 1000 signatures, needs to hit 10,000 to get a response from the government and 100,000 in order to be considered for discussion by MPs in parliament.