SCRAP DARTFORD TOLL PETITION

Despite calls to scrap the Dartford Crossing Toll and allow vehicles to move freely across the river, the Government now propose to increase the standard charge from £1.00 to £1.50 later this year.

The charge was introduced in 1963 and was designed to pay for the construction costs of the tunnels and latterly the bridge. These costs were finally paid off in 2002 and the legal authority to charge a toll expired in April 2003. However, the Government decided to continue the toll under the guise of a congestion charge, thereby retaining annual revenue of some £50m. The petition calls for the toll to be scrapped, as soon as is practicable, on the following grounds:

a) The congestion, which can stretch for many miles on either side of the crossing, is largely due to the effect of the tollbooths themselves

b) The exhaust fumes generated by thousands of cars waiting in line causes unnecessary environmental damage

c) The delays add unnecessary expense to business and transport costs

The petition can be signed by clicking on the following link

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/dartxx/

Click here to see BBC report on our petition

Cllr Clarence Barrett

27.3.08