Dartford toll free-flow system...(and increased payments)
Discussion
MarshPhantom said:
Quoting 75 minute delays from J4 to J1 earlier.
Traffic has been bad every night for the last couple of months, but it definitely seems that every Friday, not long before the evening rush hour, some absolute ****hat does something stupid and brings the whole area to a halt 
May as well stay late at work tonight.
Humpy D said:
Surely a rifle with a tranquilliser is the answer.
Local newspaper said:
Two runaway horses caused travel chaos on the M25 today, leading to delays of up to six hours in both directions.
Police were forced to shoot one of the horses, after it broke free from being herded to safety and staggered onto the motorway.
Police had managed to herd the two animals off the Junction 30 sliproad to the M25 after being called to reports of two loose horses at Thurrock Motorway Services at 6am.
A vet had been rushed to the scene to sedate the animals but despite being heavily sedated, one of the horses managed to wrestle free and made a bolt for the M25.
Trained firearms officers shot the animal once it reached the motorway, a police spokesman said, “for the safety of motorists and to prevent further suffering to the horse.”
Police were forced to shoot one of the horses, after it broke free from being herded to safety and staggered onto the motorway.
Police had managed to herd the two animals off the Junction 30 sliproad to the M25 after being called to reports of two loose horses at Thurrock Motorway Services at 6am.
A vet had been rushed to the scene to sedate the animals but despite being heavily sedated, one of the horses managed to wrestle free and made a bolt for the M25.
Trained firearms officers shot the animal once it reached the motorway, a police spokesman said, “for the safety of motorists and to prevent further suffering to the horse.”
It's clear that a lot of the issues suffered by people travelling anti-clockwise is not caused completely by the tunnel and revised tolls but the roadworks on the A13, specifically junction 30. Most days when I come out of the tunnel it's like a car park until I get past junction 30.
These roadworks are supposed to be finished by Autumn 2016 (i.e. about now) but I had an email earlier today from the contractors saying that they are hoping to finish by early December (which is Winter in my book).
I really hope that this helps the congestion but I've got a feeling it won't have too much of an effect.
These roadworks are supposed to be finished by Autumn 2016 (i.e. about now) but I had an email earlier today from the contractors saying that they are hoping to finish by early December (which is Winter in my book).
I really hope that this helps the congestion but I've got a feeling it won't have too much of an effect.
Humpy D said:
It's clear that a lot of the issues suffered by people travelling anti-clockwise is not caused completely by the tunnel and revised tolls but the roadworks on the A13, specifically junction 30. Most days when I come out of the tunnel it's like a car park until I get past junction 30.
These roadworks are supposed to be finished by Autumn 2016 (i.e. about now) but I had an email earlier today from the contractors saying that they are hoping to finish by early December (which is Winter in my book).
I really hope that this helps the congestion but I've got a feeling it won't have too much of an effect.
I think you're spot on.These roadworks are supposed to be finished by Autumn 2016 (i.e. about now) but I had an email earlier today from the contractors saying that they are hoping to finish by early December (which is Winter in my book).
I really hope that this helps the congestion but I've got a feeling it won't have too much of an effect.
I'm doing some van driving work at the mo, the yard is in Thurrock. I'm normally on my way out of the yard about 8am and most days go over the bridge heading for Kent, Surrey, South London and the like. Nearly every time I take this route I notice the anti-clockwise queue pretty much goes from j30 back to the M20 and it queues both ways on the A2. That would be frustrating if it was your daily commute.
Anybody got any idea why the whole area around the Dartford Crossing and Lakeside is so bad today?
It's been really good all January (barring the odd accident causing problems) but today it's like the bad old days. The Highways Agency are just citing congestion but surely there must be some reason. My guess is some shonky traffic lights going out of sync.
Just hoping it's going to clear for my journey home (Kent to Essex) later.
It's been really good all January (barring the odd accident causing problems) but today it's like the bad old days. The Highways Agency are just citing congestion but surely there must be some reason. My guess is some shonky traffic lights going out of sync.
Just hoping it's going to clear for my journey home (Kent to Essex) later.
Humpy D said:
Anybody got any idea why the whole area around the Dartford Crossing and Lakeside is so bad today?
It's been really good all January (barring the odd accident causing problems) but today it's like the bad old days. The Highways Agency are just citing congestion but surely there must be some reason. My guess is some shonky traffic lights going out of sync.
Just hoping it's going to clear for my journey home (Kent to Essex) later.
Was an accident over near Purfleet which backed up the whole area, I got through the tunnel ok about 8am but was almost late for my 9:30 meeting in Purfleet. Have just left and come back to Kent and it looks to be better nowIt's been really good all January (barring the odd accident causing problems) but today it's like the bad old days. The Highways Agency are just citing congestion but surely there must be some reason. My guess is some shonky traffic lights going out of sync.
Just hoping it's going to clear for my journey home (Kent to Essex) later.
The Don of Croy said:
Digby said:
Great comment from that article;[i]Billy Nomates wrote:
They're showing the new road passing between the Ockendens. That's dangerous territory - It'll be like the Pod Racing in Star Wars Ep 1 when the sandpeople were taking pot shots at the passing racers.[/i]
This will be ready for traffic when? 2026 onwards? Will it miss the new airport...
How many people want to get from Shorne to Ockendon on a daily basis?
MarshPhantom said:
Does seem a rather ludicrous place to put the new crossing. Utterly irrelevant for most M25 users and should be much closer to London.
How many people want to get from Shorne to Ockendon on a daily basis?
Huge amount of freight wants to get from Dover/Folkestone to Essex and beyond, makes sense rather than taking them all the way up to M25 to cut acrossHow many people want to get from Shorne to Ockendon on a daily basis?
Humpy D said:
Presumably all you account holders have been advised that wef 1st October 2018 the discounted cost is increasing from £1.67 to £2.00. A mere 20% increase!!!
Robbing c***s.
Pity you can't pre buy trips before the increase kicks in i.e. pay £500 now and get c300 trips.
Dartford Crossing gets almost HALF of its income from fines as enforcement revenues leap to £92millionRobbing c***s.
Pity you can't pre buy trips before the increase kicks in i.e. pay £500 now and get c300 trips.
http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/cars/article-53...
Some £92m worth of PCNs were issued for failed Dart Charge payments last year
However, Highways England had to write off £42.4m in fines as irrecoverable
Some fines for 2016-2017 and years previous are still being pursued by operators
Total income at the crossing was £204.7m - 45% of which came from PCNs
The AA wants the crossing charge abolished completely, as promised in 1999
Humpy D said:
Presumably all you account holders have been advised that wef 1st October 2018 the discounted cost is increasing from £1.67 to £2.00. A mere 20% increase!!!
Robbing c***s.
Pity you can't pre buy trips before the increase kicks in i.e. pay £500 now and get c300 trips.
Yep, another piss-take from them. Robbing c***s.
Pity you can't pre buy trips before the increase kicks in i.e. pay £500 now and get c300 trips.
Just had this through!
Why is this change happening?
With over 55 million vehicles travelling over Dartford Crossing every year, there is an ongoing need to manage increasing demand at the Crossing.
The Government has also committed a further £10 million to reduce congestion at and around the Dartford Crossing. Highways England continue to work with local stakeholders, including Kent County Council, Dartford Borough Council and Thurrock Council, on traffic flow and safety measures that will be delivered over the next few years.
After nine years of operating a 33% discount for cars, the Government has reviewed how fairly the benefits to account holders are spread across different vehicle types and have aligned the Class B rate more closely to Classes C and D.
The new discount rate of £2.00 for Class B vehicles still offers road users a 20% reduction whilst making for a more equitable rate between different vehicle classes.
There are no changes planned for the discount rates for Class C and Class D vehicles or Local Residents Discount Scheme.
What do I have to do?
You don’t need to do anything as these changes will automatically apply and will show on monthly statements. You may wish to consider increasing your top-up amount to ensure your balance remains in credit.
If you no longer wish to be an account holder, you can close your account by emailing us at CustomerService@dartford-crossing-charge.service.gov.uk
Please note that without an account you will have to pay for every crossing made during charging hours at the standard rate for your vehicle. If payment is not made, then you may receive Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs).
Why is this change happening?
With over 55 million vehicles travelling over Dartford Crossing every year, there is an ongoing need to manage increasing demand at the Crossing.
The Government has also committed a further £10 million to reduce congestion at and around the Dartford Crossing. Highways England continue to work with local stakeholders, including Kent County Council, Dartford Borough Council and Thurrock Council, on traffic flow and safety measures that will be delivered over the next few years.
After nine years of operating a 33% discount for cars, the Government has reviewed how fairly the benefits to account holders are spread across different vehicle types and have aligned the Class B rate more closely to Classes C and D.
The new discount rate of £2.00 for Class B vehicles still offers road users a 20% reduction whilst making for a more equitable rate between different vehicle classes.
There are no changes planned for the discount rates for Class C and Class D vehicles or Local Residents Discount Scheme.
What do I have to do?
You don’t need to do anything as these changes will automatically apply and will show on monthly statements. You may wish to consider increasing your top-up amount to ensure your balance remains in credit.
If you no longer wish to be an account holder, you can close your account by emailing us at CustomerService@dartford-crossing-charge.service.gov.uk
Please note that without an account you will have to pay for every crossing made during charging hours at the standard rate for your vehicle. If payment is not made, then you may receive Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs).
Gassing Station | Kent & Essex | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff