Essex hauliers raise concerns over Dartford Crossing price rise

Published 3 weeks ago• 2 minute read

could add £55,000 to his annual costs.

Vehicles with more than two axles will be charged up to £8.40 from September, a rise from £6.

Transport Minister Lilian Greenwood said the existing price was "no longer sufficient" to manage demand.

Fees to use the crossing, used by up to 180,000 vehicles a day, were last increased in 2014.

Mr Stonebrook said his fleet of 15 drivers each used the route three times a day, costing him as much as £90,000 a year.

"There's no way we can get around Dartford, it is the most important road for us," said the businessman, who is based in North Ockendon.

But he stressed the revised charge would spike his annual cost to between £125,000 and £145,000.

"That sort of money we can't afford to just swallow up, so we will have to pass those costs on eventually to clients," Mr Stonebrook added.

"It affects everyday people because everyone will eventually put prices up and the price of goods nationwide will just go up."

The Queen Elizabeth II Bridge opened in 1991

John Fairhall/BBC The large, four-lane Dartford Crossing pictured by a drone. It crosses the River Thames and has large white towers holding up wire support beams. — The Queen Elizabeth II Bridge opened in 1991

The concern was echoed by Kevin Wade, whose insurance employees in Orsett relied on the crossing.

He said making it more expensive was "another kick in the teeth".

"I just don't see what we're getting for it, that's the problem," Mr Wade said.

"The congestion around that area is always terrible, it doesn't move smoothly."

Cost accurate for a one-off crossing

Under the original construction scheme for the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, tolls were meant to stop when the private finance initiative with Dartford River Crossing Ltd ended in 2003.

However, rule changes under the Transport Act 2000 allowed the Highways Agency to continue to charge a crossing fee.

The government hopes building a Lower Thames Crossing will manage traffic in the area

PA Media Lorries and cars queuing at the Dartford Crossing. The queues span multiple lanes on a major road. In the background is the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge. It is a rainy day. — The government hopes building a Lower Thames Crossing will manage traffic in the area

Greenwood said managing demand was critical, stating drivers faced persistent delays at Dartford.

She said the new costs were "significantly lower" than if they had increased in line with inflation since 2014.

"Current charging levels are no longer sufficient to achieve their stated aim of managing demand so that the crossing works well for users and local people," she added.

The government hoped a £10bn project to build the Lower Thames Crossing would cut traffic in the area by 20%.

It would become the second fixed road crossing of the River Thames, east of London, when opened, linking Tilbury in Essex and Gravesend, Kent.

The Treasury awarded the development £590m on Monday.

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