John Baron MP presses Minister over Dartford Tunnel toll increases

MP says new ANPR technology should be tried first

Today in the House of Commons, during Transport Questions, John Baron MP questioned the Transport Minister Mike Penning MP as to why the Government was increasing toll charges for the Dartford Crossing. The tolls are due to rise in 2011 from £1.50 to £2 and then again in 2012 from £2 to £2.50 – subject to a consultation. In a Departmental response to John’s latest letter, it is stated that the toll increases are to help fund a new crossing. John believes that the new Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology should be tried and tested first to see how effective it is in reducing congestion – for a new crossing may not be necessary, which would save having to increase toll charges. The Department has confirmed to John that the crossing makes £45 million profit a year.

John said:

“The Government is right to consider the introduction of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology at the Dartford Crossing to ease congestion. Therefore, given the crossing makes £45 million profit a year, would it not be better to see how effective this new technology was before increasing toll charges to help fund a new crossing?”

Mike Penning MP responded that John had been a long time campaigner to reduce the Dartford Crossing toll charges, but that investment was needed for the new crossing.

John said afterwards:

“It surely makes sense to see first whether the new technology would sufficiently ease congestion before having to raise toll charges for a new crossing that may not be needed. The Department has yet to answer my written enquiries and provide a substantive answer.”