Tuesday 13th October 2009

Dartford Crossing Sale Condemned

Brown's plan to privatise M25 toll routes panned by the ABD

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Tolls should have been scrapped already...

Government proposals to sell off the Dartford Tunnel and Queen Elizabeth II bridge have been described by the Association of British Drivers as 'a punch in the face' for campaigners trying to get tolls on the M25 crossing scrapped.

"I am appalled by this news," says ABD Kent co-ordinator Terry Hudson. "The government is well aware that there is a campaign locally to have tolls on the crossing scrapped completely, this is supported by local councils including Dartford and Gravesham and by local businesses who are already struggling with the tolls in this time of recession. A recent power cut also proved that removal of the tolls greatly reduces congestion."

"Gordon Brown must have been taking tips from John Prescott, for this announcement is a punch in the face for campaigners."

...but they're still causing congestion and pollution

Ironically, it was only last week that Transport Minister Sadiq Khan suggested tolls might be scrapped in one direction to ease traffic flow and improve safety. In a letter to a local campaigner, the minister said the one-way toll option was being considered alongside an alternative scenario to upgrade the tolling technology.

But yesterday, Gordon Brown revealed the Dartford Crossings would be included in a £16bn series of sell-offs, designed to help reduce the UK budget deficit.

According to the ABD, the bridge and tunnel are a critical part of the UK's national road infrastructure and it is completely unacceptable that they should be sold, possibly to foreign investors. The organisation claims there is no doubt that any sale will result in large increases in tolls as the purchaser tries to recoup their investment.

"This is absurd, the government clearly does not know what it is doing from one week to the next," says ABD chairman Brian Gregory.

"What are they going to try and sell next - the Isle of Wight? The amount the sale might bring just highlights what a money spinner the Dartford Crossing is for the Government, despite the fact that a promise was made to drop the tolls once the bridge had been paid for, which it clearly has been already. Not only does this Government break its promises to the electorate, it now aims to profit from doing so."

[BBS-LM]

I'm so sick and tired of paying to go over that bloody bridge, and it's a complete bottle neck when it come to traffic control.

[A911DOM]

Is it just me or does this government seem to be doing its damnest to mess up as much stuff as they can before they deservedly get the punt at the next election.

Smacks of desperation: 'If we can be in charge then we're going to mess it up for everyone following our dismal show' type of attitude.

Pathetic and damaging in equal measure!

Labour... at long last. What a joke!

[LHD]

What an utter disgrace.

Removing bridge tolls is the only thing the SNP got right in Scotland.

We should do what the French do and blockade it.

[J111]

A911DOM said:

Is it just me or does this government seem to be doing its damnest to mess up as much stuff as they can before they deservedly get the punt at the next election.

Smacks of desperation: 'If we can be in charge then we're going to mess it up for everyone following our dismal show' type of attitude.

Pathetic and damaging in equal measure!

Labour... at long last. What a joke!

Since selling vital infrastructure and natural monopolies is a Conservative policy through and through, who do you propose voting for next time?

[Uncle Fester]

After the M6 experiment of having a one privately owned toll motorway, presumably this is the beginning of the privatisation and toll charging of the rest of the UK motorway network. Certainly the country is in debt and the sale of assets will reduce that. However, debts eventually get repaid; if we sell the assets then we will be paying forever to use our own motorways.

A Number10 petition response claims only the tolls save us from congestion. If the tolls were abolished it claims the barriers would still be needed to regulate traffic flow.

But the barriers are after the bridge so don’t regulate traffic going onto the bridge. The congestion is often backing over the bridge for miles, yet there is none after the barriers.

I live in the area and frequently use the Dartford crossing. I don’t know one local person who believes the tolls reduce congestion. Everyone knows it’s nothing but a cash cow and we’re sick of being milked.

Once again Number Ten is talking Number Two’s.

[Cuchillo]

Labour's new ploicy? Scorched Earth

[priley]

I wonder how often the people who would think this a good idea actually have to sit in the jams that the tolls create?

[wise1]

Cuchillo said:

Labour's new ploicy? Scorched Earth

Maybe their strategy is "no chance of staying in power next year - best make the situation as bad as possible so that the Tory's can't acheive anything in their first term and maybe we have a chance of getting back into power in 2014....."

[chumleyuk]

Get rid of Labour

[Double R]

"However, debts eventually get repaid"

not sure when it comes to politicians. They repay debt with money from further debt for other projects... it is impossible to quench the first for debt of politicians. How they fund that constant "change" they promise us?

[GaryDVO]

The next government who ever they will be could do a compulsory purchase order for half of what it was sold for.

[Craiglamuffin]

"What are they going to try and sell next - the Isle of Wight?" Nah, they aint got a bridge!

[kaiowas]

LHD said:

We should do what the French do and blockade it.

How would you be able to tell the difference between a blockade and any normal day?

[xyphod]

Should be not be selling assets that we make a loss on, e.g. un ussed or little utilised buildings, etc.
Surely the bridge actually makes us a profit. So only a short term fix (why does the government never think long term).

[emailiscrap]

xyphod said:

(why does the government never think long term).

Because the current government doesn't have a long term future.

Edited by emailiscrap on Tuesday 13th October 13:46

[grumbledoak]

It isn't even a short term fix- it isn't like Gordon's stopped digging yet!

[98' INTEGRA]

The so called Goverment who are meant to working for us, the general public, would sell their souls for a dollar rather than do wot is morally correct.

When are people going to realise this and do something about it??

[emailiscrap]

What would you suggest?

[NATM5]

Its not up to the Queens standard ( english that is ) but i have only 4 words to say on the matter


Gordon Brown = Wucking fanker............!


The sooner he goes and lives on another planet the better for the rest of us.

[bob the viking]

Selling the bridge would be a bit like selling one of your lungs, not really a good idea!
And as for easing the traffic, well the barrier is stareing us all in the face, 10 years after we finished paying for it!
I don't think the selling off a major route around the capital is about politics, its about common sence!