Penalty charges of up to £105 are being proposed for motorists who do not pay their M25 Dartford Crossing toll when free flow charging comes into operation in October 2014.

The proposal is part of two consultations on the enforcement of tolls launched on Monday. Free flow charging is one element of a package of planned improvements to relieve congestion at the crossing which carries 150,000 vehicles/day. The initial toll when free flow is introduced is currently expected to be £2.50.

The intention is that toll payments can be made remotely by phone, text, online or at retail outlets instead of motorists having to stop at barriers to pay. Road users would be encouraged to pay the charge in advance of using the crossing. Payments would be at the standard rate up to midnight on the day of use plus 20% on the following day. 

After this the proposed penalty charge would be £70 with a reduced rate of £35 if paid within 14 days. If the penalty is not paid within 28 days the cost would increase to £105.

Highways Agency senior project manager Nigel Gray said: “The Dartford Crossing is a crucial piece of national infrastructure that brings economic benefits to the region and the whole country. We understand how frustrated motorists feel and that is why tackling congestion here is an absolute priority.”

Interested parties have until 28 January 2013 to respond. View the consultations at http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/dft-2012-18/ and http://www.highways.gov.uk/consultations/dartford-charging-scheme-order-consultation/

…. And Welsh want control of Severn charges

Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones has called for the UK Government to open discussions with the Welsh Government on the arrangements governing the Severn Crossings after 2018 with one option being the Welsh Government taking full control of the charging regime.

This follows publication of an independent report that says the tolls are costing the Welsh economy £80M a year. Tolls are paid only on the drive into Wales at a rate of £6 for a car, £12.10 for a van and £18.10 for lorries.

The current concession agreement granted to the private company that runs the crossings is likely to end in 2018. After that revenues will go to the UK Government.

“It is clear to me that this would be unacceptable,” Mr Jones said. “Whatever the exact budgetary and legal arrangements in place there would be a strong perception that drivers coming into Wales are being charged – directly or indirectly – to fund Department for Transport spending in England.

“There needs to be an acceptance of the underlying principle that the Welsh Government should play a central role in determining future arrangements and in accessing and utilising any future revenue streams for the benefit of the people of Wales.

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