Petition against Dartford crossing tolls.
Discussion
petition said:
The Government is proposing to introduce road tolls by number plate recognition at the Dartford Crossing which means there will be no easy method of payment. This is likely to result in some 5 million per year of fines for failure to pay where people do not understand how to pay or simply forget. In total, the scheme will extract £7bn in new tax revenue from road users.
So the same way the London Congestion Charging system is run?You can pay at most newsagents across London, by phone, online - I'm sure there are other methods too.
I drive into London once a week, never found the congestion charge difficult to pay.
It's all very good having a pointless petition that ends in a year, but the important date is 28 January - because that's when the public consultation closes. If people disagree with this (as I do) then they shouldn't fanny about with a tick in a box, they should involve themselves properly... http://www.highways.gov.uk/consultations/dartford-...
chrisispringles said:
How do they propose to enforce this tax on foreign registered vehicles? As far as I am concerned, the idea that British citizens should have to pay to use the bridge while foreign trucks and tourists could use it for free is appalling.
They do have to pay though... If they rock up at the toll they have to shell out. Same as if I went to Europe and came across a toll 
PinkRinse said:
chrisispringles said:
How do they propose to enforce this tax on foreign registered vehicles? As far as I am concerned, the idea that British citizens should have to pay to use the bridge while foreign trucks and tourists could use it for free is appalling.
They do have to pay though... If they rock up at the toll they have to shell out. Same as if I went to Europe and came across a toll Bonefish Blues said:
Is it me or does that seem a sensible idea?
That's how they sell it to you. The constant congestion is nothing to do with the payment booths. Its way they close a tunnel or lane for seemingly any or no reason.
Like when they simply cant tow a broken down car out the way with the fleet of big 4x4' they use, instead they block a lane or two and wait for a recovery lorry.
I wonder if after the new payment system is introduced we will see less of the above and "free flowing traffic" will be credited to the new system?
kentmotorcompany said:
The constant congestion is nothing to do with the payment booths.
I don't think that I could disagree more. I knew that I'd have to use the crossing when the Olympics were on, and the traffic reports said there was an 8 mile (IIRC) queue. About 90 mins later I arrive at the tunnel, and it's flowing nicely. It turned out they stopped charging to ease the traffic, and the results were dramatic. Even when all lanes are open there is regular congestion, so I really don't see your point.
PinkRinse said:
Jesus. Would help if I re-read the quoted link properly! Apologies 
Hmm I will definitely be keeping my Dart Tag then just for ease sake then.
Don't think you understand... Dart Tag will be redundant if ANPR is introduced. It will replace all other methods of charging, except cash/credit for foreign vehicles. No need for an expensive to run Dart Tag system when they can charge/fine you automatically...Hmm I will definitely be keeping my Dart Tag then just for ease sake then.
Edited by calibrax on Tuesday 8th January 21:13
I for one think that it is a brilliant idea and even if it is a precursor to road tolls, as long as they only toll new roads that they build then I am happy with that too. As someone who uses the crossing several times a day it is definitely the booths that cause the majority of congestion.
- iirc part of the plan is that vehicles that have outstanding charges will not be allowed to leave the country, they will have a database at ports of exit. That is the idea for the CLCC too.
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