Blackwall and Silvertown Tunnels Charging
Discussion
I've been a numpty for forgetting a charge now applies for using the Blackwall Tunnel. That said, I remember when it became chargeable, but never had the need to use it until recently. Today I received a PCN today for using the tunnel on the 31st October.
It's not a defence to claim I forgot, but I do remember driving up to the tunnel and questioning if the charge applied because I remember questioning the whole thing for not seeing the 'charge applies' warning signs or tariff boards. As I approached the tunnel I did ask myself where the signs were for anyone that didn't know it was a toll tunnel. In any case (I thought) I have an account which charges me automatically when I use the Dartford Crossing/Tunnel; I wrongly assumed it would be the same way of charging for the Blackwall. Today I learned it's not. They are two separate entities.
An expensive lesson, but I now want to see where the tariff boards are and the warning signs/diversion suggestions as I don't remember seeing anything. Maybe I was on autopilot...
It's not a defence to claim I forgot, but I do remember driving up to the tunnel and questioning if the charge applied because I remember questioning the whole thing for not seeing the 'charge applies' warning signs or tariff boards. As I approached the tunnel I did ask myself where the signs were for anyone that didn't know it was a toll tunnel. In any case (I thought) I have an account which charges me automatically when I use the Dartford Crossing/Tunnel; I wrongly assumed it would be the same way of charging for the Blackwall. Today I learned it's not. They are two separate entities.
An expensive lesson, but I now want to see where the tariff boards are and the warning signs/diversion suggestions as I don't remember seeing anything. Maybe I was on autopilot...
The first time I used the Dartford crossing and forgot to pay, I got a PCN but they cancelled it when I challenged it, as it was a first offence.
Maybe, just maybe, the same applies to your crossing.
I hate this form of pricing, as it is easy pickings from people who don't usually drive that route.
In my case, I knew about the charge and fully intended to go on-line and pay, once I had returned by the same route, but.....
When I got to Suffolk, plans changed and I was asked to stay a few days and returned by a different route. Paying the £2.50 had completely slipped my mind.
Motorway near Calais has gone 'Boothless' and you have to go to the autoroute's web page to pay.
I only knew this as I could read the French sign above the motorway heralding the coming of more free flowing autoroutes.
But, a month later on my return, it had completely slipped my mind, I was returning by another route and it wasn't until I showed someone here how to use the website by sticking my reg in, that I saw a charge of just €2 was overdue and a fine would be issued.
Only when I contacted the company and explained my confusion was I let off the fine.
Cynically I think that these easy to forget systems are designed to catch people out and make more profit.
Maybe, just maybe, the same applies to your crossing.
I hate this form of pricing, as it is easy pickings from people who don't usually drive that route.
In my case, I knew about the charge and fully intended to go on-line and pay, once I had returned by the same route, but.....
When I got to Suffolk, plans changed and I was asked to stay a few days and returned by a different route. Paying the £2.50 had completely slipped my mind.
Motorway near Calais has gone 'Boothless' and you have to go to the autoroute's web page to pay.
I only knew this as I could read the French sign above the motorway heralding the coming of more free flowing autoroutes.
But, a month later on my return, it had completely slipped my mind, I was returning by another route and it wasn't until I showed someone here how to use the website by sticking my reg in, that I saw a charge of just €2 was overdue and a fine would be issued.
Only when I contacted the company and explained my confusion was I let off the fine.
Cynically I think that these easy to forget systems are designed to catch people out and make more profit.
Googling finds:
- There are red “C” symbols on the direction signs at the last junction before the toll, along with blue signs saying “last exit before tunnels charge”.
- Where the charge starts there are white signs with the red “C” saying “Blackwall & Silvertown Tunnels charge, 6am-10pm, Pay online”.
- Shortly after that on at least some approaches there is a blue sign saying “Charges apply each way, pay online”
- On exiting the tunnel there are further white signs with the red “C” crossed out saying “tunnel charges, pay online”.
Glassman said:
I've been a numpty for forgetting a charge now applies for using the Blackwall Tunnel. That said, I remember when it became chargeable, but never had the need to use it until recently. Today I received a PCN today for using the tunnel on the 31st October.
It's not a defence to claim I forgot, but I do remember driving up to the tunnel and questioning if the charge applied because I remember questioning the whole thing for not seeing the 'charge applies' warning signs or tariff boards. As I approached the tunnel I did ask myself where the signs were for anyone that didn't know it was a toll tunnel. In any case (I thought) I have an account which charges me automatically when I use the Dartford Crossing/Tunnel; I wrongly assumed it would be the same way of charging for the Blackwall. Today I learned it's not. They are two separate entities.
An expensive lesson, but I now want to see where the tariff boards are and the warning signs/diversion suggestions as I don't remember seeing anything. Maybe I was on autopilot...
I got caught a few weeks with this, you have to set up an auto payment as well as adding a payment method...was let off the PCN as I'd set everything up before the journey, with the exception of the automated payment part. So although that was a surprise, they were fair when I presented my mitigating circumstances.It's not a defence to claim I forgot, but I do remember driving up to the tunnel and questioning if the charge applied because I remember questioning the whole thing for not seeing the 'charge applies' warning signs or tariff boards. As I approached the tunnel I did ask myself where the signs were for anyone that didn't know it was a toll tunnel. In any case (I thought) I have an account which charges me automatically when I use the Dartford Crossing/Tunnel; I wrongly assumed it would be the same way of charging for the Blackwall. Today I learned it's not. They are two separate entities.
An expensive lesson, but I now want to see where the tariff boards are and the warning signs/diversion suggestions as I don't remember seeing anything. Maybe I was on autopilot...
trails said:
Glassman said:
I've been a numpty for forgetting a charge now applies for using the Blackwall Tunnel. That said, I remember when it became chargeable, but never had the need to use it until recently. Today I received a PCN today for using the tunnel on the 31st October.
It's not a defence to claim I forgot, but I do remember driving up to the tunnel and questioning if the charge applied because I remember questioning the whole thing for not seeing the 'charge applies' warning signs or tariff boards. As I approached the tunnel I did ask myself where the signs were for anyone that didn't know it was a toll tunnel. In any case (I thought) I have an account which charges me automatically when I use the Dartford Crossing/Tunnel; I wrongly assumed it would be the same way of charging for the Blackwall. Today I learned it's not. They are two separate entities.
An expensive lesson, but I now want to see where the tariff boards are and the warning signs/diversion suggestions as I don't remember seeing anything. Maybe I was on autopilot...
I got caught a few weeks with this, you have to set up an auto payment as well as adding a payment method...was let off the PCN as I'd set everything up before the journey, with the exception of the automated payment part. So although that was a surprise, they were fair when I presented my mitigating circumstances.It's not a defence to claim I forgot, but I do remember driving up to the tunnel and questioning if the charge applied because I remember questioning the whole thing for not seeing the 'charge applies' warning signs or tariff boards. As I approached the tunnel I did ask myself where the signs were for anyone that didn't know it was a toll tunnel. In any case (I thought) I have an account which charges me automatically when I use the Dartford Crossing/Tunnel; I wrongly assumed it would be the same way of charging for the Blackwall. Today I learned it's not. They are two separate entities.
An expensive lesson, but I now want to see where the tariff boards are and the warning signs/diversion suggestions as I don't remember seeing anything. Maybe I was on autopilot...
Interesting terms I appear to have been roped into.
Pay by the 21st and it's 90-quid. By missing this 'one time offer' the charge doubles to 180.
By not making the specified payments or not responding with a representation by 5th December, a £270.00 for a charge certificate is payable.
Interesting how it's straight to a penalty charge and not an increase on the £4.00 that would have been applicable on the day.
Pay by the 21st and it's 90-quid. By missing this 'one time offer' the charge doubles to 180.
By not making the specified payments or not responding with a representation by 5th December, a £270.00 for a charge certificate is payable.
Interesting how it's straight to a penalty charge and not an increase on the £4.00 that would have been applicable on the day.
croyde said:
The first time I used the Dartford crossing and forgot to pay, I got a PCN but they cancelled it when I challenged it, as it was a first offence.
Maybe, just maybe, the same applies to your crossing.
I hate this form of pricing, as it is easy pickings from people who don't usually drive that route.
In my case, I knew about the charge and fully intended to go on-line and pay, once I had returned by the same route, but.....
When I got to Suffolk, plans changed and I was asked to stay a few days and returned by a different route. Paying the £2.50 had completely slipped my mind.
Motorway near Calais has gone 'Boothless' and you have to go to the autoroute's web page to pay.
I only knew this as I could read the French sign above the motorway heralding the coming of more free flowing autoroutes.
But, a month later on my return, it had completely slipped my mind, I was returning by another route and it wasn't until I showed someone here how to use the website by sticking my reg in, that I saw a charge of just 2 was overdue and a fine would be issued.
Only when I contacted the company and explained my confusion was I let off the fine.
Cynically I think that these easy to forget systems are designed to catch people out and make more profit.
Agreed. My BiL ended up with £600 fine or so as it happened as he was just moving house. First he heard of it was a debt collectors letter with a massive fine.Maybe, just maybe, the same applies to your crossing.
I hate this form of pricing, as it is easy pickings from people who don't usually drive that route.
In my case, I knew about the charge and fully intended to go on-line and pay, once I had returned by the same route, but.....
When I got to Suffolk, plans changed and I was asked to stay a few days and returned by a different route. Paying the £2.50 had completely slipped my mind.
Motorway near Calais has gone 'Boothless' and you have to go to the autoroute's web page to pay.
I only knew this as I could read the French sign above the motorway heralding the coming of more free flowing autoroutes.
But, a month later on my return, it had completely slipped my mind, I was returning by another route and it wasn't until I showed someone here how to use the website by sticking my reg in, that I saw a charge of just 2 was overdue and a fine would be issued.
Only when I contacted the company and explained my confusion was I let off the fine.
Cynically I think that these easy to forget systems are designed to catch people out and make more profit.
TX.
Terminator X said:
Agreed. My BiL ended up with £600 fine or so as it happened as he was just moving house. First he heard of it was a debt collectors letter with a massive fine.
TX.
Did he not push back and have the additional fine quashed if he had moved house and the correspondence was not sent to the correct address?TX.
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