John Baron MP challenges Department of Transport over proposed Dartford Crossing toll increases

MP says local people have paid enough already

John Baron MP has written to the Department of Transport following receipt of a letter which proposes an increase in the Dartford Crossing toll for cars in response to enquiries made on behalf of a constituent. The Department of Transport is planning, subject to consultation, to raise the charge for cars from £1.50 to £2.00 from 2011 and £2.50 in 2012. The Government has justified these increases by suggesting the construction of a new crossing. Introducing Automatic Number Plate Recognition [ANPR] technology was also mentioned.

John said:

“The Government justifies, at least in part, the increased charges by talking of the  introduce first the ANPR technology to enable free-flow charging at the existing crossing, and see the extent to which this reduces congestion before raising funding for a new crossing.”

“By the Government’s own estimation, the Dartford Crossing raises £45 million in profit each year. Surely this is enough to fund the introduction of ANPR technology such as exists for the London Congestion Charge.”

“Local residents are frustrated by the fact that they helped to pay for the original tunnel back in the 1960’s on the promise that tolls would be abolished once the crossing was finally paid for, and this point I believe was reached in 2003.”