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last mo.

Dartford Crossing Toll Rises 40% as New Charges Take Effect

Ministers say the higher fees are meant to curb congestion at a crossing that often exceeds its design capacity, but motoring and haulage groups call the move unfair.

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Overview

  • From 1 September, the standard one-off car charge rose from £2.50 to £3.50, buses and vans now pay £4.20, and multi‑axle lorries are charged £8.40, with regular account rates increasing to £2.80 for cars.
  • The resident permit rose from £20 to £25 a year, crossings remain free between 10pm and 6am, and motorcycles, mopeds and quad bikes continue to be exempt.
  • Drivers who do not pay by midnight the day after crossing face a £70 penalty, and people exempt from vehicle tax due to disability do not pay the Dart Charge.
  • The Department for Transport says the rise targets traffic management as daily volumes average around 150,000 vehicles and can hit 180,000, compared with an original capacity of about 135,000.
  • The RAC Foundation and AA criticised the increase as a revenue‑raising burden with few alternatives for drivers, and the Road Haulage Association warned higher costs for HGVs could feed through to consumer prices.