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.
I went over the Dartford Crossing recently. After doing so, I went on to the website to pay. After entering the VRN, a date and timestamp of when I crossed was displayed along with the amount due. Paid it. Done.
On the return leg I went through the Blackwall Tunnel; followed the same process.
There's no date or timestamp and therefore no amount due. This is not about whether I will pay or not, but how do you see it? It looks like there's no record of me passing through?
On the return leg I went through the Blackwall Tunnel; followed the same process.
There's no date or timestamp and therefore no amount due. This is not about whether I will pay or not, but how do you see it? It looks like there's no record of me passing through?
Simpo Two said:
Glassman said:
It looks like there's no record of me passing through?
I'm sure they'll find one if you don't pay.... this is a money-making exercise after all. No point having all that expensive camera clobber if it doesn't make a profit.Welcome to the wonderful world of TfL road user charging... If you're an ad-hoc user of London's roads, then the onus is on you to know when you owe them something so that you can make the decision to pay up before you learn via the arrival of a PCN that, oh crap yeah, I did actually owe them something and didn't pay in time - don't ever expect them to help you out by providing any sort of a hint.
This is why a lot of us who drive in London at least somewhat regularly see the Autopay system as a bit of a good thing - in exchange for the slight risk of having TfL charge us for journeys we didn't make due to a camera misread or someone cloning our plates, the entire burden of working out what we owe them for the journeys we actually are making is placed on them, and in theory you're entirely immunised to the risk of getting a PCN, because the data they'd use to send the PCN is the same data telling them you owe the daily charge instead, so either they have that data and charge your account as normal, or they don't have that data and therefore can't charge you OR send you a PCN...
This is why a lot of us who drive in London at least somewhat regularly see the Autopay system as a bit of a good thing - in exchange for the slight risk of having TfL charge us for journeys we didn't make due to a camera misread or someone cloning our plates, the entire burden of working out what we owe them for the journeys we actually are making is placed on them, and in theory you're entirely immunised to the risk of getting a PCN, because the data they'd use to send the PCN is the same data telling them you owe the daily charge instead, so either they have that data and charge your account as normal, or they don't have that data and therefore can't charge you OR send you a PCN...
And London used to be such fun 30 years ago.
I would drive into central London on a weekday evening, park on single yellows after 6.30, go to a concert or theatre and toddle home again.
No congestion charges, ULEZ charges, tunnel charges, parking charges.
We do have a toll bridge where I live now - 70p to cross the River Trent on the A57.
I would drive into central London on a weekday evening, park on single yellows after 6.30, go to a concert or theatre and toddle home again.
No congestion charges, ULEZ charges, tunnel charges, parking charges.
We do have a toll bridge where I live now - 70p to cross the River Trent on the A57.
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