Consultation starts on Dartford Crossing toll charges

Budgie wrote:

I travel from Dorset to Leigh on Sea on a regular basis, I can do 4 5ths of the journey in approx 2.5hrs then get held up anywhere up to 2hrs due to the Dartford crossing, the toll booths cause so much congestion, I then have the privalege of having to pay for this inconvience & delay, now to find out about the planned price increase is a insult..Someone getting very rich from this scheme???...

18 Jan 2012 8:36 PM

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mcewan cuddihee wrote:

I started an e-petition on this subject in Aug. Please read it and if you agree, sign it. Petition 12296, Thanks.

16 Nov 2011 4:44 PM

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Ian Griffin wrote:

Apart from the fact the toll was to be removed once the bridge and tunnels were paid for oh and the operator had made a huge amount of cash, we are now faced with more raised charges surely this cannot be justified under any circumstances environmentally the jams are a disaster, in lost time the cost is huge, only in England could we create a wonderful London orbital road and then stick a traffic jam in the middle of it called a tool booth.
Priceless!!

12 Oct 2011 9:44 AM

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rick wrote:

as a compulsory out of area user of the dartford crossing it rearly upsets me that the government at first changed the law so the could continue chargeing then on the pretence of introduceing new technology (which wont do what they claim it will do) are now jacking up the charges.if the want to keep traffic moveing the should only charge when ther is light to medium flow and not at peak and introduce a dart tag only lane on each of the far left tolls.

19 Sep 2011 7:46 PM

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Mr. Michael Wright wrote:

Sign the HM Government e-petition No.1878

10 Sep 2011 11:38 AM

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jodie flockhart wrote:

I am constantly getting stuck on the dartford crossing and have to pay the price for this not only in my time, my fuel but also just to cross. When in fact the toll charge was supposed to be dropped once the cost of the bridge was paid for, but has in fact gone up and are now wanting to put the price up again! If anything the road should become free or just a small charge if there has to be a charge at all.

09 Sep 2011 6:02 PM

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paul pilgrim wrote:

why,why,why are the charges going up yet again?is it not bad enough to be stuck on the bridge for up to an hour some days without being ripped off also. just greed.

02 Sep 2011 11:44 PM

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Robert Bevan MBE wrote:

I have recently been stuck at the Dartford Bridge/Tunnel which now seems to be a permanent feature even in normal traffic conditions in daytime.

I have heard, and accept it may not be true, that the owners pay the toll booth operators a productivity bonus and might not welcome an increase in pushing through traffic any faster. I am told it takes 5/6 seconds for a barrier to lift after payment has been made which probably adds to delays.

Even if this is not true I have to ask why a system similar to the London Congestion charge could not be used at the Tunnel/Bridge. The drivers would be able to go through at normal speed and the booth operators would be moved to call centres to operate the scheme.

The cost of the delays and the damage to the environment with thousands of cars’ engines idling for hours on end is surely another reason for scrapping this out-of-date barrier system?

18 Aug 2011 7:45 PM

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Peter Shulver wrote:

For far too long the crossing has been a complete nightmare to anyones who uses it particularly on a regular basis. The consultation should not therefore be concerned with raising the toll fee but seriously considering the constrution of an additional crossing in close proximity. If a cable car crossing can be considered (not interested in where the money is coming from) then surely an additional crossing in the south east is not unreasonble. There can be no counter argument that suggests B/Wall is a suitable alternative as this is closed or blocked more often than not.If the government is serious about pollution it would therefore ensure that traffic is not left stationary whilst trying to use the crossing in either direction and then expect the users to pay for the priviledge. Please, let's forget the fancy bits and build another desperately needed crossing not a gimmick cable car across the Thames that helps no-one.Lastly let's keep the promises that suggest the barriers will be lifted when congestion is high to ease the flow for everyone.

08 Aug 2011 2:05 PM

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Mcewan wrote:

The Dartford river crossing is a national scandal. It makes me ashamed to be British. Politicians should do the right thing, abolish the crossing charges and stop any future private ownership. The whole economy suffers because of this horrific nightmare of an inefficient river crossing. No wonder many people don't bother to vote. The crossing belongs to the tax-payer it's not for the Politician to give away and create a private monopoly. Hands off its ours.

04 Aug 2011 2:30 PM

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Alan Robinson wrote:

How utterly stupid to even consider raising the toll fees at the Dartford Crossing, we are all trying to cope with the present economic situation when some bright spark comes along with this crazy idea. For many years the toll charges have been a very contentious issue, as we all know it should now be free to cross by now as was the original agreement when the first tunnel was built.We have seen evidence that when the toll barriers are raised to allow traffic to flow freely as happened when vandals set fire to the cables supplying electricity to the the crossing and the barriers were raised for hours during which there was no congestion and NO POLLUTION. there can be no doubt that the crossing causes massive pollution because of traffic waiting to pay the tolls, we the local people have to suffer this in the name of revenue, which is all this is about, not the environment, not trying to disuade the public from useing it, simply revenue. We must now start effective protesting within the law, I would urge all users to pay the increase with pennies, this would make the tolls unworkable and also show the DFT how strongly we feel, by simply bribing the local residents with a cheap toll plan is not good enough. I would invite the DFT to contact me with a view to a meeting to discuss this ridiculous plan. GET RID OF THE TOLLS, REDUCE LOCAL AIR POLLUTION AND SAVE MILLIONS OF POUNDS IN LOST TIME FOR HAULIERS AND DRIVERS ALIKE. Please don`t forget, pay with pennies !!!!

04 Aug 2011 11:13 AM

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darren wrote:

i myself am a frequent user of the dartford crossing as i use this route every monday to friday for work, and i agree the rates increase is an absolute joke.

And i would just like to throw this into the mix..... a quote governments department of transport's site.

"The revised operational arrangements for the suspension of charges will allow charges to be suspended in one or both directions, on a case-by-case basis, at times of defined levels of severe congestion.

During the trial, drivers will not be charged to use the Crossing if it is assessed that the suspension of the charge would help relieve the build-up of queues and congestion"

The reason i have brought this up is that im one of the many people suffering the 'm25 car park' at 6pm everynight queing to get over the bridge and i have seen no evidence of this.

29 Jul 2011 8:17 PM

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Matt wrote:

Interesting that there aren't many comments here from local residents, like myself. We get to cross for 20p a time, which the proposal won't affect, which is probably why there aren't that many local views!
But I'm sure many local people's primary concern is congestion. I've read the arguments that the tolls cause the congestion - yes I'm sure they they exacerbate it, but I'm equally sure there would be congestion even without tolls - you just have to look at any other busy stretch of the M25 to see that. And I'm not naive enough to believe the argument that simply raising the tolls will reduce traffic either.
Like it or not, clearly the tolls in some form are here to stay, and I think we need to accept that the argument that the crossing itself is paid for no longer has legs, and that the tolls are an integral part of funding transport in this country. And I'd much rather that the burden fall on actual road users than on general taxation.
So whilst I have sympathy for the pain that the increases will cause to those not fortunate enough to have their home overshadowed by the crossing and the knock-on congestion effects on surrounding roads, I believe there are much worse ways for the Government to raise money.

25 Jul 2011 4:09 PM

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David wrote:

The dartford toll is an absolute joke and is going to keep going up and up each year as long as people keep paying the price. Theres always going to be congestion but the owners don't care as long as they get there £1.50 or more for vans and lorries. There needs to be an official protest where enough people get together, drive to the toll booths and turn off their engines. With enough doing this every toll will be blocked - they couldn't tow every be hole as there would more protestors behind doing the same thing. Until this happens or something similar to stop there business and cause major disruption the toll price will continue to rise. Something needs to happen and soon!

25 Jul 2011 2:58 PM

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pat wrote:

How do they think that putting up the cost will stop or ease congestion, I only use the tunnel and bridge because I have to like most people I would avoid it like the plague if I could. I wish that everone could get together for one day and make a real protest hoping that the government would actually listen for once, I think that would make more of an impact then any consultation which in my opinion will be a waste of time and money

22 Jul 2011 8:33 AM

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Clactonal wrote:

How long will the British Public allow successive governments to continue totally abusing them and ignoring their wishes. Do they seriously believe that people relish going through the Dartford Tunnel or over the QEII bridge only to be mugged by highway robbers. Now they seem to think they can discourage us by putting up the prices. Where have we heard this before, ie Petrol, Beer, Cigarettes etc, etc. Come on England lets stand up and show this Mafia we call Government that enough is enough. We don't Trust you, we don't believe, you seem to do nothing to please the people who pay your wages and quite honestly I ask myself 'do we want you?'. LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE BEFORE YOU TOTALLY DESTROY THIS COUNTRIES' LOYALTY, HOW ARE WE TO BE 'PROUD TO BE BRITISH' WHILST YOU TREAT US WITH SUCH UTTER CONTEMPT.

09 Jul 2011 1:39 PM

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Lady wrote:

This is just another stealth tax. the bridge has been paid for over and over again. Why are we paying for the tunnel when it was free before the bridge was ever built.there should be no charge to use the tunnel. and at most only 1 pound to use the bridge. this would pay for upkeep of the tunnel and the bridge. there is more congestion now than ever. They have us over a barrel. we are becoming a communist country. where the people are dictated to , We could always wait till t
he next election . but what good would that do when they all lie just to get into power.

08 Jul 2011 11:22 PM

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EssexPaul wrote:

It is my thinking that Dartford Crossing is fully aware that drivers still need to use the crossing particularly the transport companies so any protest of not using the crossing is just not an option. Any protest of refusing to pay the toll is also not an option due to failure or refusal to pay the charge is a criminal offence under section 22 of The Dartford-Thurrock Crossing Act 1988.

My thought is that if the crossing was inundated with drivers paying the toll with a mixture of 1p, 2p, 5p and 10p coins what can they really do, the driver is not refusing to pay. Paying in this manner is within the Royal Mints Legal Tender Guidelines. I believe that the crossing would not want to process amount of coins it would receive they may not have the staffing levels to cope.

It goes without saying that paying in this manner would cause queues, however it would be hoped that drivers as a whole would understand the reasons for the delay.

I would also hope that the six month trial launched on 01 July 2011 meaning that the toll charges will be lifted when traffic queues reach 10 miles would also come into play which of course the crossing would not want to happen due to lost revenue however the increasing pressure they would receive from the motoring organisations would hopefully ensure they abide to that system.

08 Jul 2011 9:43 PM

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David Cocozza wrote:

Has the government also thought about the damage this will do to the economy south of the River? Business will decide to move North in order to reduce costs of crossing the river, companies delivering south of the river could start charging "Toll Charges" to their end users and lose business...

It already takes me over an hour to just get across the river from where I live in Bexleyheath, motorists avoiding the additional charge will then clog up the system even further - since they've started resurfacing works on Blackwall Tunnel Approach road, the traffic is just terrible now....

Well done all round to the government for punishing the hardworking citizens of this economy!!!

06 Jul 2011 10:44 AM

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David wrote:

I have a small 1.4 fiesta van and i am charged £2 each way through the tolls.What i dont understand is why are large cars/4x4 only charged £1.50 each way? If i put a back seat in my van then it becomes a car then i will be charged £1.50!
A total rip off for small van drivers!!!

04 Jul 2011 12:16 PM

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NB wrote:

You can fill out an online questionnaire from the Department of Transport regarding the Dartford Toll Crossing charges to make your feelings known.

Find it online at:

https://consultation.dft.gov.uk/dft/2011-08/consultation/intro/view

I personally only use the tunnel/bridge on the odd occasion to go shopping at Lakeside. If the cost rises to £5 for an all round trip. I would think again and not bother. I was told by my parents (who used to live in Dartford) that once the tunnel had been paid for the original plan was to make the tolls free. This happened a long time ago.... so why are we still paying?!

02 Jul 2011 10:22 AM

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Jo wrote:

Its clear the government do not give a toss about the enviroment or us drivers who use this everyday!

Get rid off the Tolls!

01 Jul 2011 10:18 PM

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Stephen king wrote:

I think this is disgusting i am furious.

I use the bridge and tunnel everyday and it is quite obvious to us all who use it, that it is the biggest cause of congestion and misery to the motorist.

Where are the yearly discounts for users who have no choice but to use this congestion making toll system to get to work each day , as if the fuel and tax i already put in is not enough.

I feel its time all users of the dartford toll made a stand. We need a leader and if that does not work then a13 blackwall tunnel or the woolwich ferry here i come, of course that is until the b******s charge for that.

01 Jul 2011 8:21 PM

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Voice of Reason wrote:

Thinendof . . .I've no experience of the free flow tolling scheme in Aus, just done a bit of research, apparently a number of different companies along with the Aus authority run this scheme, which only has one toll boothing plaza on the bridge, the rest have to be completely managed by electronic tags.
Do the Austrailans pay as much road tax, including annual taxation and fuel tax as we do in the UK?

01 Jul 2011 5:29 PM

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Thinendofthewedge wrote:

Don't be surprised, if by objecting to the toll charge increase at Dartford, and the campaign is successful, that there will be an alternative proposal. Think about it, increasing the toll at Dartford is one way to pay for the new M25 upgrades, if there is sufficient objection to an increase in tolls at Dartford specifically because it is unfair to the daily commuters an alternative scheme will be put forward, which captures everyone, it happens in Sydney (Aus) and elsewhere, it is called free flow tolling, where everyone using the M25 and its feeder roads will be charged, so be carefull for what you wish.

01 Jul 2011 1:09 PM

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Snoozie wrote:

To Alan Hyde

Don't think you can blame to tories when the toll was introduced under a labour government and it was labour who renaged on abolishing the charge!

(Did have a link but cant post it!)

Thanks 'voice of reason', I shall be writing to Mr Hammond!

01 Jul 2011 12:48 PM

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Voice of Reason wrote:

Alan, I didnt vote conservative, and no-one got the government they actually voted for, but lets all commit to fighting injustice from wherever it comes. We have far more democratic freedom in this country than many around the world - lets use it and not be apathetic.

01 Jul 2011 12:43 PM

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Steven Boxall wrote:

Hindhead gets a new tunnel to ease congestion - and that is not tolled, so where is the logic of tolling this crossing?

01 Jul 2011 11:56 AM

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Alan Hyde wrote:

Stop moaning! the people of Kent were stupid enough to vote Tory so they're getting what they deserve.

01 Jul 2011 11:10 AM

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voice of reason wrote:

Apologies for typos on previous comment - and one more suggestion.
Kent Messenger, can you please run a concerted on going campaign regarding stopping these toll increases.
1) can you join with sister news papers to get wider UK and European coverage on the suggested increases, and window of opportunity to get our point over.
2) set up an information sharing page on KM for all who will be affected by any increases, bearing in mind that all distibution and services charges of those using the crossing will be passed on to all of us, never mind the affect of further personal extra cost to use the Crossing.

01 Jul 2011 10:04 AM

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vocie of reason wrote:

A well organised very large and tenatious lawful campaign against any further increses in cost - plus the freeze on any further profit made by the company managing the Dartford Crossing is what is needed by the general public and all business users of this crossing. This government, and in particular the Department of Transport, headed up by the Minister of Transport, The Rt Honourable!!! Philip Hammond, need to be bombarded with with the concerns and complaints regarding the increasesby all that use this crossing. Contact details:- Department for Transport
Great Minster House
Department for Transport
Department for Transport
76 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DR
United Kingdom
Phone: 0300 330 3000
We all have a domocratic voice, USE IT - If anyone has a direct e-mail address for the above Minister, please post it on here and USE IT.
All Haulage and business people, plus any associations they use - band together to make your voice heard. This is not just a problem for the local people of Kent and Essessex but a country and Eurpope wide problem for users of the crossing. Will will cost us all very dear. Come on FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT.

01 Jul 2011 9:48 AM

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Angela wrote:

The rise in toll fare is unjustifiable. Not only is there an impact on people's pockets, but the pollution to the environment caused by hundred's of cars a day sitting in traffic jams caused by the toll booths should be a real cause of concern to our politicians. Added to the misery is the ever rising cost of fuel that is wasted at each crossing.

There could be justification if there was an alternative, but for many there simply isn't one.

01 Jul 2011 9:21 AM

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Paul wrote:

So the tolls cause most of the congestion, Government wants to reduce congestion on the crossing so it raises the toll... What a load of rubbish, removing the tolls have been shown to ease the congestion issue on the area!

01 Jul 2011 9:19 AM

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Quinny wrote:

Maybe all us hard working people should give up our jobs and go on benefits seeing as the lazy no gooders of this country get everything and are not penalised for sitting on their arses indoors with their state of art houses gloating !!!!!!
Wake up government and help the workers of this country!!!

01 Jul 2011 6:59 AM

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chris wrote:

And on top of this kick in the teeth some bright spark at the highways commission decides to widen the lanes approaching the bridge causing chaos for the next year..its as bad now as as it was before the bridge was finished. !
They close the bores at the drop of a hat and I know now an Eu ruling means nightly closures to install a sprinkler system! Why do we bother screwed at every turn

30 Jun 2011 7:35 PM

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Tom wrote:

Dartford tunnel should be free, the toll was to pay for its construction and its paid for, and because of the tollbooths it causes massive tailbacks. A totally unnecesary cost, Greedy, greedy council dogsbodys

30 Jun 2011 7:35 PM

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tom wrote:

Like everything else, it's just pure greed. We are all little purses running around the country waiting for the government to rob us of our last few pennies.

VAT
Petrol
Taxes
Pensions
Council Tax (It's coming)
Wage decreases/freezes

It will get worse and will take a decent honest politition to make it better.

Unfortunatly go slows are now an act of terrorism and illegal. Where is our freedom going?

STOP ROBBING US!!!!

30 Jun 2011 6:56 PM

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Ben wrote:

Basically the company running the tolls have a monopoly and are abusing their market position. Because this isn’t in the public interest it is about time that they were investigated under EU Competition law with the view of being broken up to allow another company to operate a selection of the toll booths.

30 Jun 2011 4:51 PM

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Act on CO2 - NOT wrote:

Environmental arguments of the government are undermined by their lust for income. I detest my taxes funding ridiculous adverts and websites.
We need to make our protest by driving the long way round the M25 to avoid the crossing - not an easy thing for us to do as we will have the immediate effect of using more fuel and needing more time, but neither is finding the extra toll day after day/increase after increase.

30 Jun 2011 12:17 PM

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Jon wrote:

Tunnel tolls cause congestion and are immoral, if not actually illegal, given the commitments to end tolls once the crossing was paid for. What we need is organised civil disobedience against this scam, as soon as possible.

30 Jun 2011 10:49 AM

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Were you aware... wrote:

To those of you who have correctly identified that, when the crossing was opened the Govt promised that tolls would stop once the cost of building was reclaimed: did you know that there was an Act passed that revoked that promise? I don't remember it being well publicised to enable open debate with Joe Public. I appreciate that there is a need to cover costs associated with maintenance but...

BBC, 22 Jul 2010 "The Dartford Crossing carries about 150000 vehicles each day".

Even at the minimum charge for each vehicle, that's surely more than maintenance, wages (for toll operators and attending emergency/support services) etc cost? They can claim damage costs back from insurers so is this just (another) cash cow????

30 Jun 2011 8:52 AM

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Peed off from Medway wrote:

I have to use the tolls twice a week to visit my daughter, and due to no pay rises for the last 2 years, and increses in everything else if this goes ahead I will have to stop visiting mid week, so because of the government a child is going to be upset. Thanks guys, Good job!!!

30 Jun 2011 8:25 AM

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Steve H wrote:

What a scam, so much for the so called green brigade as we all know of the constant tailbacks and pollution caused by the tolls themselves. If only everyone could stop using it altogether we would soon see a change.Never trust what politicians and two bob councilers tell you, they are mostly useless liars who make fake promises. No point in public consultation, the decision will have already been made.

30 Jun 2011 5:46 AM

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T bundy wrote:

Why do i have to pay the same as a lorry when I'm only in a small car based van!!! Ridiculous!! Goodbye Essex?!

30 Jun 2011 5:45 AM

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MISS J SPARKS wrote:

I THINK THE GOVERMENT ARE TAKING THE MICK OUT OF THE BRITISH PUBLIC, WHEN THEY BUILT THE NEW BRIDGE MANY YEARS AGO THEY SAID ONCE IT WAS PAID FOR THEY WOULD MAKE IT NO CHARGE TO USE THE CROSSING WHAT A LOAD OF LIES. I THINK ITS ABOUT TIME THEY HELPED US ALL OUT TIMES ARE BAD ENOUGH AS IT IS.

30 Jun 2011 3:33 AM

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MISS J SPARKS wrote:

I THINK THE GOVERMENT ARE TAKING THE MICK OUT OF THE BRITISH PUBLIC, WHEN THEY BUILT THE NEW BRIDGE MANY YEARS AGO THEY SAID ONCE IT WAS PAID FOR THEY WOULD MAKE IT NO CHARGE TO USE THE CROSSING WHAT A LOAD OF LIES. I THINK ITS ABOUT TIME THEY HELPED US ALL OUT TIMES ARE BAD ENOUGH AS IT IS.

30 Jun 2011 3:30 AM

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MISS J SPARKS wrote:

I THINK THE GOVERMENT ARE TAKING THE MICK OUT OF THE BRITISH PUBLIC, WHEN THEY BUILT THE NEW BRIDGE MANY YEARS AGO THEY SAID ONCE IT WAS PAID FOR THEY WOULD MAKE IT NO CHARGE TO USE THE CROSSING WHAT A LOAD OF LIES. I THINK ITS ABOUT TIME THEY HELPED US ALL OUT TIMES ARE BAD ENOUGH AS IT IS.

30 Jun 2011 3:27 AM

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Gavin wrote:

How about every one quits there jobs an claims of the social good idea ? Coz face it most people are working to make a existance not a life !!!!!!! This country is a con an a set up !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

30 Jun 2011 1:35 AM

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GAvin wrote:

We already have to pay 3 pound a day to get stuck I'n traffic an the tolls every day why now should we have to pay five pound to get stuck I'n traffic the government bang on about global warming an car emissions causing damage to the planet well if that's the case why make us pay at tolls which make thousands of cars lorries vans sit there causing pollution ? If there was no tolls cars would flow threw causing less damage to the planet an not being funny we pay council tax , car tax , income tax , so why make us pay out more money !!!! Are the people who (try ) to run this country really I'n such a day dream ??? Coz this country is on it's way down there nothing going for it at all no jobs no one can get a job to buy a house to set up there families an lives people I'n goverment an who ever else is I'n charge pull ur heads out your rectums an look at the real lifes of real people !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

30 Jun 2011 1:31 AM

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Shane wrote:

I wonder how long the charges would stay in place if the politicians who make the decisions had to use the crossing every day. (assuming they couldnt claim it back on expenses!).All it seems to do is interrupt the flow of traffic,the congestion is abominable and i really resent queuing up for for the privilege of paying £2.00 each way in my van. Surely in this hi tech society we live in there could be at least a system implemented where the majority of traffic could drive through the tolls at say 30mph and the money debited from your account, thus keeping the toxic fumes at a much lower level, the traffic flowing and probably not so much of an argument for paying for crossing the Thames. Ultimately they could just do away with the tolls as promised and for once show us poor motorists some well deserved respect. Am I correct in thinking the crossing is owned by a French company where the profits would go, with our government receiving the tax on it ?

29 Jun 2011 11:05 PM

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Concerned User wrote:

Tolls ease conjestion, I have regularly waited for 1 hour just to use the crossing, sitting in queues caused by the tolls!

This is scandalous, we have NO viable alternative.

Just keep squeezing us, we have no way to stop you!

It's disgusting, if the money went towards another crossing building scheme, I might think it a good idea, but it will just go on other things rather than easing this dire stretch of motorway.

Why don't they just go the whole hog and charge a tenner, why not, we would still have to pay regardless, they have no concern for it's users!

29 Jun 2011 10:48 PM

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Geoff Partis wrote:

If it cost £50.00 per hour for a lorry to be stuck in the queue for the tolls, that is probably £45.00 lost profit.
Calculate the tax on that lost amount and you will see the loss to The Exchequer is far greater than the tolls charged. Add to this the 'hour' is 10% of a working day and that doing away with tolls would increase the efficency of the nations transport system. Finally, do away with the queues and London's emmission problem would be solved at a stroke.
Many times I have seen hundreds (up to 500)lorries in the queue, not to mention Class 2 vehicles, plus thousands of cars, all polluting the atmosphere whilst in the queue.

29 Jun 2011 10:11 PM

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Paul W wrote:

It is an absolute disgrace I personally do not use the tunnel or crossing on a regular basis but for those people who rely on it everyday, It is those i feel sorry for. How much more money is this country going to take ou of use hard working citezens? As if everything is not expensive enough as it is.

if people stopped using the crossing for a week or two, used the blackwall tunnel and suffered a bit of traffic, would the bridge get any income? perhaps they might realise motorists are not happy with cost to use it. but then again it should not come to this.

29 Jun 2011 10:06 PM

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Fishyfishyswim wrote:

I still think the tolls actually cause congestion.
How many times do we have to be charged for using our vehicles?
Buy it..
road tax..
fuel x 2..
VAT on Insurance..
Some of us have to live in the SE corner and travelling anywhere HAS to involve the Dartford Crossing.
They're taking the proverbial!!

29 Jun 2011 10:04 PM

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Dan Ranger wrote:

This is OUTRAGEOUS.

I will be using the Blackwall Tunnel if this happens every time.

What a rip off.

29 Jun 2011 7:28 PM

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Flagman wrote:

Time to do what the motorcyclists did;

Everyone to turn up with £20 notes at the pay booths on a specified day.

Peaceful but effective protest.

The crossing tolls were supposed to have been there only until the bridge was paid for and the fund was topped up enough for the ongoing maintenance.

29 Jun 2011 7:24 PM

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2 fingers up to em wrote:

Grow some balls and park your cars up at the tolls and walk of. If i lived back there i would especially in my nice new Scania and trailer with the words up yours written on the side. The UK govetment are an embarresment and have been for years.

29 Jun 2011 6:39 PM

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John wrote:

Absolutely fantastic, I'm already struggling to make ends meet at the moment, this will no doubt force me to leave the job I love. Even using a DartTag I'm still spending £45 a month getting to and from work let alone the petrol I waste idling in traffic caused by the tolls. Why should we pay to be held up in traffic when the cause of the traffic is paying for the tolls!? It's a never ending cycle!

29 Jun 2011 5:32 PM

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Name Witheld wrote:

@Linda.

It was just another one in the long line of lies we have been told by government after government.

My trips to Lakeside are much less frequent now.

29 Jun 2011 5:24 PM

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Linda Cass wrote:

It's disgraceful. There was only supposed to be a toll until it was paid for. That has well and truely been done. Stop the tolls now before it gets silly, if it hasn't already

29 Jun 2011 5:19 PM

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man of kent wrote:

what a cash cow the crossingis turning out to be for the government.it should be free, it has already been paid for.

29 Jun 2011 5:05 PM

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RW wrote:

This is a bit misleading. By the time you pay by credit card, add a bag, use the toilet, the price of the flight to Madrid is £250 with Ryanair. If you want to buy and sandwich and a coke on board then bang goes your holiday spending money too.

29 Jun 2011 4:48 PM

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Anna wrote:

We should not be paying any tolls as everyone knows they should have stopped when the bridge was paid for. They say the tolls top the congestion - try saying that to all who use the tunnel/bridge. Scrap the toll, we pay enough in fuel and road tax as it is.

29 Jun 2011 4:25 PM

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Mick wrote:

It is no wonder our disposable income is becoming less and less when you consider the amount of times we are being ripped off.
VAT-UP FUEL-UP FOOD-UP UTILITIES-UP INSURANCE-UP COUNCIL TAX-UP TRAIN-FARES-UP to name but a few. Shops closing down because no has any money left to spend!!!!

29 Jun 2011 2:55 PM

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Dean wrote:

Why do we still have a toll, we have paid for this crossing several times over!!

29 Jun 2011 2:51 PM

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SallyM wrote:

From what I can find the crossing is only operated by a private firm on behalf of the Highways Agency, all the money goes to the Government for redistribution. That said I think a £5 return journey is extortion. Its bad enough having to pay £3 now.

29 Jun 2011 2:38 PM

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Stafford owner wrote:

Confused by the last bit about "protecting Public sector jobs" the tunnel is privatly owned by a foreign company.

29 Jun 2011 2:11 PM

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