Dartford Crossing Sale Condemned
Brown's plan to privatise M25 toll routes panned by the ABD
Tolls should have been scrapped already...
"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
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."
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