RE: Dartford Crossing Sale Condemned
Discussion
J111 said:
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?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!However, re 'who do you propose voting for next time?
In my view it doesn't matter (they'll probably be as bad - no, that's not possible!)
BUT this shower has to get the biggest kicking off its life, surely, if only to make us all feel better the morning after the election results.
It would just be nice if when they get kicked out, that all the quangos and politically-correct morons that plague our daily lives, went to hell with them - let them go burn in their own global warming theories.
I'm confused, the crossing is currently operated by "Le Crossing" a french company who I assumed had bought it and that it was now privately owned and operated? If this isn't the case then it means that currently it is only privately operated and I would assume that "Le Crossing" pay rent to the Government? If this is correct then I simply can't see the logic for either party in actually selling it, I would assume that the goverment would retain control of how much toll can be charged in the same way they do know? Perhaps I assume too much 
By the way many years ago when the bridge was built, the tolls were supposed to finance it and then once paid off it was to be free. The initial repayment timescale was 20 years IIRC. I think they repaid in 12 years.
A few years ago all the "Dart Tag" holders got a letter saying effectively "Well you know we were going to make it free after a while/after it was paid for.....but we're going to carry on charging."
So we paid for it once, we are paying again now and if sold to a third party and the charges go up even more than the 50% rise recently, we will be paying even more.
Not happy!
A few years ago all the "Dart Tag" holders got a letter saying effectively "Well you know we were going to make it free after a while/after it was paid for.....but we're going to carry on charging."
So we paid for it once, we are paying again now and if sold to a third party and the charges go up even more than the 50% rise recently, we will be paying even more.
Not happy!
mel said:
I'm confused, the crossing is currently operated by "Le Crossing" a french company who I assumed had bought it and that it was now privately owned and operated? If this isn't the case then it means that currently it is only privately operated and I would assume that "Le Crossing" pay rent to the Government? If this is correct then I simply can't see the logic for either party in actually selling it, I would assume that the goverment would retain control of how much toll can be charged in the same way they do know? Perhaps I assume too much
This is what I was thinking!Plus there's just been all new signage put up around the crossing to conveniently change it all from a "toll" to a "charge". I believe toll is usually construed to mean it helps pay for maintenance (as the original toll was), however a charge could probably be used for anything!
Wikipedia said:
Under this act, the A282 Trunk Road (Dartford-Thurrock Crossing charging scheme) Order 2002 allowed the continuation of the crossing fee, which officially became a charge and not a toll on 1 April 2003
How apt this happened on the 1st April...The only benefit to the booths is hooning away from them after the barrier opens, but I'd gladly sacrifice that to remove all the congestion!
Edit: After reading the rest of the Wikipedia article, it appears that Le Crossing collected the charges on behalf of the government, with all revenue collected returned to the gov't. No doubt Le Crossing charged the government for this "service" though!
Although they've now been replaced with another consortium named "Connect Plus M25"
Edited by Calamity James on Tuesday 13th October 15:18
dandarez said:
In my view it doesn't matter (they'll probably be as bad - no, that's not possible!)
BUT this shower has to get the biggest kicking off its life, surely, if only to make us all feel better the morning after the election results.
I tend to agree, I'm just amused/irritated by plans that have the stench of Thatcher all over them being criticised as a Labour failing because they're the work of the Scottish BUT this shower has to get the biggest kicking off its life, surely, if only to make us all feel better the morning after the election results.
.
Craiglamuffin said:
"What are they going to try and sell next - the Isle of Wight?" Nah, they aint got a bridge!
Shh ffs!!!!!!! If greedy Gordon reads this, our fair isle really will be the next thing up for grabs... mind you, I suppose learning French would be better than another term with this lot! 
Why not sell Wales instead??When the bridge was constructed in 1991? by Trafalgar House, the government said it would have tolls for 10 years to pay for the bridge plus one more year to provide a fund for future maintenance. What a joke! 18 years on and they are still charging us and even putting the tolls up. I did write to the transport minister with the suggestion that the tolls for the tunnels should be scrapped and double the toll for the bridge so the level of income would remain the same, the costs of toll collection would reduce and the congestion going from Kent into Essex would also reduce. I had a reply to say that this wouldnt work and emmissions would increase! Are they bonkers? How can thousands of cars crawling along at 2mph be good for the environment?
Scum-sucking pig-dogs Brown & Blair should be chained in The Tower, hanging their heads in shame for volunteering other people's lives without giving them the backing they need.
And that's before I mention the bridge tolls.
Luckily I don't drive over the Thames often, but whenever I do, it seems to be the tolls that slow traffic down.
Cash cow, pure and simple.
Why sell it otherwise: there'd be no value.
And that's before I mention the bridge tolls.
Luckily I don't drive over the Thames often, but whenever I do, it seems to be the tolls that slow traffic down.
Cash cow, pure and simple.
Why sell it otherwise: there'd be no value.
This government doesnt know what to do next... better watch our they may start selling the inhabitants of this country to raise more money... whatever next Mr Brown (just want to say didnt vote you and dont remember you being voted in either)... all i can say is GOOD BYE... and go back to scotland we dont want you!!!
NATM5 said:
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.
For a "Democratic" country, I dont seem to remember voting, or anyone else I know for that matter for Brown to take over Blair?Gordon Brown = Wucking fanker............!
The sooner he goes and lives on another planet the better for the rest of us.
But unfortunatly the majority are happy to live in a "Tut-tut , oh deary me" society "join the back of the queue I was here 1st! "
TO give you an Idea, to keep it simple, you vote RED,BLUE or Yellow, either way all of them are going to fook u over some way or other.
In Mauritius they have 52 Political parties, not bad for an Island the size of London!
Until "Broken Britain" grows some balls we are stuck with it, tut tut!
Slackjaw Eyeore is a f.....g disgrace -he can't even drive-would he physically qualify anyway? and yet sees fit to start selling the roads that we own. We already have the power utilities and water companies owned by bloody foreigners and now the risk is that they buy our transport links and tighten their grip around the throat of England.Would the Germans or French do this-NO! The best thing Slackjaw can do is f--k off over the border to where he belongs and take the rest of the Scottish MP's with him and f.....g good riddance. KEEP ENGLAND ENGLISH
Gassing Station | Motoring News | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff