Dartford tolls to rise to £2.50
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Tolls at the Dartford Crossing are to
rise up to a whopping £2.50 for a single journey.
Years after the Labour government went back on a promise to
scrap the tolls on the QEII bridge after funding for the structure
had been paid, the coalition government today announced fees were
to rise up to £2.50 by 2012.
Audio: People's views on
the Dartford Crossing toll price hike
The announcement, part of the government's Spending Review, will
affect motorists and freight haulage firms using the controversial
crossing.
A statement from the Treasury said: "Subject to
consultati
on, prices
will increase from £1.50 to £2 in 2011, then to £2.50 in 2012.
"The department and the Highways Agency are developing options
to improve the crossing for motorists including: exploring a new
additional crossing; using free flow charging to improve
efficiency; and removing charges to aid flow when congestion is
most severe.
"The increased charges will be used to fund this work."
KCC leader Cllr Paul Carter said: "This is another whammy for
the motorist on top of increased fuel duty and petrol prices going
up. The motorist is getting penalized again."
Opposition Labour leader on KCC Cllr Les Christie said: "This is
a bit of cheek when we had Conservative MPs and candidates
campaigning for the tolls to be abolished. A 50 per cent increase
over two years is a bit of an imposition to say the least."
For more on the Spending Review,
see our special report.
Wednesday, October 20 2010
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