DEPARTMENT FOR
TRANSPORT News Release (095) issued by The Government News Network
on 12 June 2008
Residents of
Dartford and Thurrock will benefit from discounts at the Dartford
Crossing, Transport Minister Rosie Winterton confirmed today.
Under the discount scheme local residents will be entitled to 50
free crossings per year on payment of a £10 annual administration
fee. Thereafter crossings will cost 20p each. The go-ahead
follows a public consultation on the discount scheme.
Rosie Winterton said:
"Local people made a strong case for a discount and we have
listened. We will introduce the local discount alongside the new
charging regime for all vehicles in the autumn.
"This local discount scheme is for residents of Dartford and
Thurrock. But anyone - regardless of where they live - can benefit
from a 50p reduction on the new cash charges for cars simply by
paying with a Dart-TAG"
To benefit from the local discount, residents will need to
register annually and apply for an electronic "tag" to
be displayed in their car's windscreen. The annual
registration fee will be £10, the same local discount registration
fee as the London Congestion charge. The discount will be
available for private cars only.
Separate discounts are available to anyone who chooses to pay
using a "DART-Tag". Car drivers with a
"DART-Tag" will be able to use the crossing for £1,
whereas those paying cash will in future pay £1.50.
Notes to Editors
1. The Dartford Crossing has brought huge benefits and
opportunities to that part of the Thames Estuary but it has also
brought a lot of through traffic into the area, with some specific
locations experiencing air quality problems. In recognition of
this impact, the Government has in recent years made available a
proportion of revenues from the Crossing to the Dartford and
Thurrock local authority areas. The Government will provide the
discounts announced today as an alternative to this funding.
2. In December 2006 the Department consulted on proposed changes
to charges for use of the Dartford Crossing to address continuing
congestion pressures. The proposals were to tailor charges better
to the conditions at the Crossing, including raising cash charges
to £1.50 for cars in the daytime and removing charges altogether
at night when traffic flows more freely.
3. In response to that consultation exercise there were calls to
introduce a discount scheme for local residents. The Government
announced that it would develop a discount scheme for
consultation, whilst going ahead with the proposed increases. A
consultation on the local discount scheme on 16 February 2008, and
it closed on 16 May 2008. 67 responses were received.
4. The Government is today publishing a summary of responses and
conclusions following the consultation exercise. The Government
has concluded that the scheme should be implemented as proposed,
subject to introducing some flexibility over the requirement for
an initial sum to be credited to accounts. This will be
recommended rather than required. The key proposals relating to
eligibility, the annual administration fee, entitlement to 50 free
journeys, and journeys charged at 20p thereafter, are confirmed.
Public Enquiries: 020 7944 8300
Department for Transport
Website: http://www.dft.gov.uk