John Baron MP: Proposed Dartford Crossing toll increase is ‘flawed thinking’

MP urges users to contribute to Government consultation

John Baron MP has submitted his views to the Department of Transport consultation on Government proposals to increase charges at the Dartford Crossing in order to pay for a new bridge.  He has been critical – believing better technology to create a free-flow system through the existing Crossing should first be introduced to see if this clears congestion.

 John said:

 “Government proposals to increase the toll charges in order to help pay for a new bridge and so ease congestion is flawed thinking. Surely it would be better to first introduce technology that would allow the free-flow of traffic on the existing Crossing – such as Automatic Number-Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology. We could then see how effective it was in reducing congestion before increasing toll charges to pay for a new bridge.”

 “The Crossing presently makes around £40 million profit a year. The cost of ANPR technology for the whole of London came to £161.7 million.  Introducing this technology at the Dartford Crossing would be much cheaper.  By not doing this first, people may conclude that this was a Government ploy simply to raise money from the taxpayer.”

 “I do believe local constituents have been let down by Government reneging some years ago on its promise to end all charges once the existing Crossing had paid for itself. However, this issue is outside this consultation.”

 “I would urge users of the Crossing to submit their views as quickly as possible.  The consultation ends on 23 September.”

The Consultation Document can be found at www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/dft-2011-08/.  A downloadable questionnaire is available on the website and emailed to Dartford.chargesconsultation@dft.gsi.gov.uk or returned by post to:

 Claudette Bagalo

Dartford Crossing Charges Consultation

Department for Transport

Great Minster House

76 Marsham Street

London

SW1P 4DR