Plans for a new system of charges, which will incentivise the use of time saving electronic tags over the Dartford Crossing, have been announced today by Transport Minister Stephen Ladyman. A consultation to be launched in December will propose scrapping night time charges and increasing day time charges for cash paying motorists. Users would receive a significant discount on the cash rate if they opt to pay using a "Dart Tag".
Stephen Ladyman said: "The Crossing struggles to cope with the volume of traffic for much of the time, leading to long queues. As traffic increases the queues will get worse, so we need to act.
"We therefore intend to increase day charges for occasional users to £1.50 for cars. But I recognise this would be a significant burden for those who depend on the Crossing for their livelihood, as well as for local people. We will therefore offer drivers who choose to use a Dart Tag a significantly discounted rate of £1.00, which is the current cash charge.
"We will also remove the night time charge when traffic is much lighter. This is in line with our desire to see more freight moving at night when the roads are less congested."
There will also be a new study looking at capacity over the Thames to the East of London.
Dr Ladyman added: "In the longer term traffic pressures at the crossing will continue to get worse so we have to consider options for additional capacity and move forward towards a decision. I have therefore requested a study of how we can best address traffic pressures in the longer term, including the possibility of a new Crossing. Preliminary work has already started and the main study will start as early as possible next year."
The implementation of the new charges will be made using a charging order under the Transport Act 2000 and the Government will, as is required, consult on this. We expect to launch that consultation by December 2006 with a view to having the order in place by October 2007 and the new regime coming into effect by January 2008. The consultation will be placed on our website when it is launched in December 2006.
Proposed Day Cash Charges Proposed Night Charges: (10pm - 6am) (6am - 10pm)
Cars: £1.50 Free
2 Axle Goods: £2.00 Free
Multi Axle: £4.00 Free
Goods
Dart Tag Charge:Cars: £1.00 Free
2 Axle Goods: £1.75 Free
Multi Axle: £3.20 Free
Goods
Dart Tag:A Dart Tag is small electronic device that is attached to the windscreen and registers when users have incurred the charge. Road users put credit on the cards before making their journeys, thereby avoiding a cash transaction at the toll plaza. This has the effect of speeding up journeys and reducing congestion. Dart Tags are available from Le Crossing, who operates the Dartford Thurrock river crossings on behalf of the Highways Agency. There is no cost to the motorist to obtain a Dart Tag. Further details can be found at this link;
www.dartfordrivercrossing.co.uk/dart-tag Related Linkswww.gnn.gov.uk
