Another broken promise by the Gov
Discussion
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/2905225.stm
If they can't keep a promise to make the bridge free of charge then they aint going to keep a promise to spend the revenue on "transport improvements".
Motorists have been let down by the government u-turn on the decision to continue charging at the Dartford crossing, it has been claimed. From Tuesday motorists should have been able to cross for free but the government's change of mind means car drivers still have to pay the £1 charge.
The AA Motoring Trust, a new charity linked to the AA said the government had broken its promise to scrap the toll.
A fee of £1 for cars has been charged at the crossing between Essex and Kent since the QEII bridge opened in 1991.
The trust said the then government pledged to parliament and the AA that the fee would cease when the cost of the crossing had been paid for and a maintenance fund accumulated.
Paul Watters, from the trust, said: "It is no wonder motorists don't trust the way they are taxed and treated by governments.
"The 150,000 drivers who use the Dartford crossing each day have a right to be outraged that they will still have to pay."
The trust said money raised from the tolls would not necessary go to local transport improvements.
Funds would be used to pay for the 10 years transport plan, which means it could be used for schemes across the country, it said.
A Department for Transport spokesman, said: "The reasons for continuing were spelt out last year when the decision was announced.
"Monies raised will only be spent on transport improvements, which will affect motorists."
According to reports when the decision was announced, Transport Minister John Spellar said charges would be set at the same levels to help reduce congestion at the crossing.
If they can't keep a promise to make the bridge free of charge then they aint going to keep a promise to spend the revenue on "transport improvements".
"Monies raised will only be spent on transport improvements, which will affect motorists."
We all know the goverments idea of an "improvement" is anything that makes life difficult for the motorist. It dosen't say HOW it will affect motorists, just that it will. More scamera's? More "traffic calming" measures threatening to rip peoples exhausts off?
Yet another broken promise.
FFS, the reason there's so much congestion there is because they're forcing 150,000 vehicles a day to come to a complete standstill on a motorway and throw their quid into a basket. Last time I passed through there, there was a huge tailback on either side of the crossing - and this was on a Sunday afternoon! But oh no, the congestion is the motorists' fault, and the only solution is to keep on taxing us in order to teach us a lesson...
Transport Minister John Spellar said charges would be set at the same levels to help reduce congestion at the crossing.
DrSeuss said:
FFS, the reason there's so much congestion there is because they're forcing 150,000 vehicles a day to come to a complete standstill on a motorway and throw their quid into a basket. Last time I passed through there, there was a huge tailback on either side of the crossing - and this was on a Sunday afternoon!
i agree,the tailbacks are a nightmare.i use the dartford crossing quite a bit (living in essex and travelling to w.sussex)and its rediculous.i didnt mind paying the quid toll but i think it should be like the severn bridge where you only pay to get across once(do you still get a free pot of coffee in the services after the severn?).paying both ways,i thought,was a piss take.also,most of the accidents at the crossing are because of the toll booths.numpties in volvo's/mercs moving from lane to lane totally oblivious to everyone behind,they get to the toll booth area and get confused as to which booth looks nicest and which has the shortest cue(you see them on either side of the crossing)once they have selected their 'favourite' and paid the toll,they try to burn the car next to them in a sort of sad,underpowered 'drag race' to see who gets to the outside lane of the motorway(kent) or the outside lane of the tunnel(essex)and then the bastards slow down for the rediculous 60mph limit (kent)and 50mph speed limit through the tunnel.....and you cant change lane in the tunnel!!!!!...arseholes,all of 'em!
i had heard that in the west country,the police were pulling up o.s.l.hoggers,why dont all police forces adopt this policy.......going into the tunnel/over the bridge they could see them on the camera's and stop them at the toll booths in their little 'search' area's,give them 3 points and send them on their way.
if numpty wasnt there,it would certainly would make all our journeys alot quicker!(and safer!)
>> Edited by cortinaman on Tuesday 8th April 02:26
[quoteThe AA Motoring Trust, a new charity linked to the AA said the government had broken its promise to scrap the toll.
Being an oldie,
I can recall the first Dartford tunnel being opened, and a promise then that the charge (2/6 at the time) would be dropped once the tunnel's costs had been covered.
But they're the government for Goodness sake! You don't expected them to honour promises do you?
Being an oldie,
I can recall the first Dartford tunnel being opened, and a promise then that the charge (2/6 at the time) would be dropped once the tunnel's costs had been covered. But they're the government for Goodness sake! You don't expected them to honour promises do you?
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