MP Gareth Johnson and fellow Dartford Conservatives have slammed a plan to charge people driving into Greater London as "catastrophic and mad".

Mr Johnson today asked the Transport Minister, Chris Heaton-Harris MP to clarify whether discussions had taken place over the Mayor of London's planned charge, amidst fears that those living in Dartford and other areas at the edge of London would be unduly punished by the proposed fee.

He spoke out after it was revealed a feasibility study is due to start on the plan, with the aim of introducing the charge in two years' time.

He asked: "What discussions has my Rt Hon Friend had with the Mayor of London over his proposals to charge my constituents in Kent £3.50 to drive into the neighbouring London Borough of Bexley. Does he agree with me that this would have a catastrophic and disproportionate impact on places like Dartford that border London?"

Transport Minister, Chirs Heaton-Harris replied, stating there were "always lots of conversations going on between Transport for London, the mayor and the department", adding: "Transport in London is devolved to the Mayor of London and TFL and it is because of decisions that the mayor has made it has found itself saddled with massive debts and unable to deliver infrastructure projects, leaving it in a weak position even before Covid raised its ugly head.

"The government, a tax-payer therefore has agreed two extraordinary funding finance packages for TFL worth over £3billion to ensure the continuation of public transport services in this great city."

Following the question, Mr Johnson said the charge would have a "dramatic and very costly impact on Dartford", adding: "The cost is proposed to be £3.50 and could rise to £5.50 for more polluting vehicles. It would mean Dartford residents travelling to neighbouring Crayford, to go shopping or to drop somebody off at Crayford Station would have to pay an additional fee each day.

"There are many people living in Dartford near to the border with Bexley who would be hit with this charge on an almost daily basis."

"Some roads in Dartford are impossible to exit without going in to Bexley (eg Bowmans Road, Coppice Close and Stonehill Woods Park) so are people living in these roads expected to pay every time they drive out of their roads?

"There are many people living in Dartford near to the border with Bexley who would be hit with this charge on an almost daily basis.

"Joydens Wood would also be seriously impacted with residents unable to drive out of the area along Baldwyn’s Park without incurring the charge. It is a mad proposal that hasn’t been thought through and we need Sadiq Khan to drop this very divisive idea immediately. He claims it is necessary as Londoners don’t get to keep what they pay in road tax for their own roads yet neither do the motorists of Kent yet we don’t charge Londoners to use our roads!

“This is a charge which could be imposed by the devolved London Mayor without any say from people who will have to pay the charge and that is totally unacceptable for Dartford. Millions of people who live close to any London Borough and cross the border for whatever reason will bear the brunt of this proposal.”

Dartford Conservatives also criticised the plan for the fee, fearing it would force Dartford residents to pay to do their weekly shop, travel into work and visit vulnerable relatives who require care during the pandemic.

The Dartford West Kent County Councillor, Jan Ozog, said: “As a Councillor who resides in and represents Dartford West, I know how much this move by Labour would really hurt the pockets of local residents.

"My division has several crossing points into London, so I know there are a huge number of people who move between the boundary to go about their daily lives.”

Read more: all the latest news from Dartford.