20 November 2014
Fleet managers will have to prepare for new Dart Charge
A new method of payment for the Dartford Crossing charge, known as Dart Charge, will be implemented on Sunday 30th November, giving fleet managers time to prepare.
It is expected the Dart Charge will ease traffic flow at the crossing and help to reduce congestion. The new arrangements for payment will mean drivers will pay in advance or by midnight the day after crossing as opposed to the current cash payments at the barriers. The last cash payment will be taken at 10pm on 29th November on the Dartford to Thurrock river crossing.
More payment options will be introduced on Sunday 30th November at 6am, these include online, by phone, post or at Payzone retail outlets. Pre-payment on the dedicated website is advantageous due to the savings – drivers can save up to a third on every crossing. The government website was launched on 6th November and offers drivers the chance to register for a Dart Charge account, or to apply for local residents’ discount.
Along with the changes to payment options, charges will increase as from 30th November, according to the announcement made by the Department for Transport in May 2012. (List of charges is available here)
Nigel Gray, Highways Agency project manager said: ‘I am pleased to confirm that Dart Charge will be introduced at the Dartford Crossing on Sunday 30th November. Dart Charge will help speed up journeys so it’s great news for the tens of thousands of drivers who use the Crossing every day and for the economy. From today drivers can set up a pre-pay account and get a discount on every crossing once the new payment arrangements begin.’
The crossing will remain free between 10pm and 6am. Fleets will need to open a fleet account and register with a list of all the number plates and classes of their fleet. Payment booth removal is to start at the end of November and should be completed by the end of April 2015. A new road layout is proposed and all road works are being planned to minimise disruption.
