A PETITION has been set up to abolish the Dartford Crossing toll charges.

So far, 235 people have signed the petition on the Downing Street website.

The news comes after the Government proposed plans to increase the standard fare to use the crossing from £1 to £1.50.

Conservative MP for Gravesend Adam Holloway, who is campaigning against the toll, recently called the rise "unworkable".

The new petition, set up by Havering councillor Cllr Clarence Barrett, calls for the toll to be scrapped "as soon as is practicable".

It says the toll causes congestion on both sides, leads to environmental damage from cars waiting in line and increases business and transport costs.