Drivers drop money choice at Dartford Crossing

Ever had to wait in line to spend the toll at the Dartford Crossing?

Properly, queues could soon be a issue of the previous, thanks to the new Dart Charge payment scheme.

From October 2014, you will no longer quit and pay at the ticket barriers (right after scrambling round to discover a couple of quid in adjust). As an alternative drivers will spend in advance, or prior to midnight the day right after they cross.

For whom the bill tolls

There’s a assortment of diverse payment methods, which includes by text, phone, post or on-line. You can also set up a pre-pay account and save up to a third on every single crossing.

Don’t be concerned if you currently have a Dart-Tag account. The Highways Agency will speak to you with particulars of how to move to the new account.

It also confirms that you will not lose any credit and remaining funds will be transferred or refunded.

Consideration span

The Dartford Crossing, or to give it it’s complete title, the Dartford-Thurrock River Crossing, spans the River Thames in between Dartford and Thurrock, about 16 miles downstream of central London.

It is actually a bridge and 2 tunnels. Southbound targeted traffic crosses the Thames over the Queen Elizabeth II bridge whilst northbound visitors makes use of the 2 road tunnels known as the Dartford Tunnel.

Numbers game

A toll was first introduced to spend for the construction of the QE II bridge. And a lot of drivers had been not happy when the so-known as Road User Charge was implemented in 2003 to try to limit the number of motorists utilizing the Crossing.

About 50 million autos make the crossing every year and the most current improvement is one more try to lessen congestion.

Dart bored

The barrier-much less charging scheme must also permit site visitors to move more freely as motorists won’t have to cease to spend the charge – that is the theory, anyway.

The road layout will have to be changed and the ticket barriers removed when the new payment scheme is up and running.

Construction perform is currently underway and is anticipated to continue until Spring 2015, so some disruption is likely.

Cross purpose

The Dartford Crossing charge for cars is presently £2, but will go up to £2.50 in October. Large lorries spend £5, rising to £6 beneath the new scheme.

The increases come following a 33% rise in toll charges in 2012 and are unlikely to get a great reception.

It will nonetheless be free of charge to use the crossing amongst 10pm and 6am and regional residents will still be entitled to a discount.

A quantity of vehicles are also exempt from the charge, like mopeds, motorcycles and vehicles that are utilized by or for someone with a disability.

Penalty awards

The removal of ticket barriers will practically surely outcome in non-payment of the crossing charge by some cars. But car recognition cameras will be installed to detect non-payers – and they could face hefty fines.

The penalty charge for non-payment will be £70, reduced to £35 if paid inside 14 days. If the penalty is not paid inside 28 days it goes up to £105.

Taking toll

Toll roads are pretty common on the Continent, but they stay fairly rare in the UK. There are about 20 tolled river crossings and 2 ancient toll roads.

Then there’s the M6 Toll, which has been dogged by criticism considering that it opened in 2003. It covers a 27-mile route among Cannock and Coleshill and was built as a relief road to allow site visitors to bypass the busiest components of the M6.

The toll road was anticipated to carry about 75,000 autos a day, but in 2012, only about half that quantity used the road.

The charge is relatively higher, which could clarify the unpopularity of the M6 Toll. Cars pay £5.50 and lorries £11 on weekdays in between 6am and 11pm.

Congestion relief

Supporters of toll roads – and congestion charges – argue that payment can support visitors management and ease congestion.

Revenue raised can also be utilised to help the transport infrastructure. In truth, Transport for London put forward just these arguments when it improved the London Congestion Charge from £10 to £11.50 in June.

Others do not agree. The National Alliance Against Toll Roads describes them as regressive and unfair. It also points out that tolls can actually increase congestion when drivers have to quit to spend the charge.

Plus, there is some evidence that tolls encourage motorists to use other, much less suitable roads, potentially damaging the environment.

Watts the problem?

There is, even so, a single toll road that seems to have won widespread assistance.

Mike Watts, 62, from Kelston near Bath, has built his own toll road. It is 400 yards lengthy, 6 yards wide, and drivers are happy to spend the charge, shouting thank you as they tootle by means of.

Mike built the road from scratch in response to the indefinite closure of a essential local road for repairs. The closure forced him to take a 14-mile diversion to function, bumping up his weekly petrol bill from £25 to £60 and boosting his journey time by 80 minutes each and every way.

Field of dreams

Unwilling to place up with the inconvenience, Mike borrowed an adjoining field from a farmer pal and constructed his own road.

It took 3 men from a neighborhood creating firm just 10 days and cost £150,000. It costs one more £50,000 to run and an estimated £10,400 to dismantle when the A431 ultimately re-opens.

But Mike is undaunted. He charges every automobile £2 to use the road and requirements 1,000 automobiles a day for 150 days to break even. For the duration of the initial 5 days, the new toll road carried more than 4,000 automobiles, so issues are looking very good.

If you’re a fan of bridges, you can indulge further here…

Drivers drop money choice at Dartford Crossing