Dartford Crossing charge to rise by 40 per cent in September – check how much you'll now have to pay
The crossing - which was known as the Dartford Tunnel until 1991 - is made up of two tunnels and the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge and carries a charge for many who use it.
3
Used by around 180,000 cars every day the cost of using the crossing will rise from £2.50 to £3.50 on September 1, marking the first price increase since 2014.
Transport Secretary, Lilian Greenwood, explained the toll increase was necessary in order to manage the almost 200,000 vehicles that use it everyday.
"I am aware that these necessary changes to the charges will be unwelcome news for users of the crossing," she said in a statement to parliament.
"These traffic levels are well in excess of the crossing's design capacity, causing delays for drivers."
Buses, coaches, vans and other commercial vehicles with two axles will pay up to £4.20 when the new fees kick in, while vehicles with more than two axles will have to pay up to £8.40.
The Transport Minister promised "significant" discounts on the tolls for people living locally and car drivers with prepaid accounts.
"I am aware that these necessary changes to the charges will be unwelcome news for users of the Crossing," Greenwood said in her stament.
"I have been determined to keep the nominal fee paid by local people as low as possible, as many rely on the Crossing to get around their local area."
She added that drivers who live in Dartford or Thurrock and who have signed up to the Scheme will pay £25 for unlimited annual crossings from September 1, which is a small increase from the current annual fee.
Greenwood argued: "The new charges will be significantly lower than if they had increased in line with inflation since the tariff was last fully revised in 2014."
Traffic chaos as 'protesters' climb bridge with warnings of huge delays during morning rush hour
The charges at the Dartford Crossing vary depending on the type of vehicle being driven and if the driver already has an account set up on the gov.co.uk website.
The fees are often referred to as the Dart Charge.
Since the tollbooths at the Dartford Crossing have been removed, the charge can be paid on the gov.co.uk website.
3
Charges must be settled by midnight the day after crossing but can also be paid in advance.
The government website can be used to pay the Dart Charge and to set up an account to make future payments easier and cheaper.
Users can also use the service to pay or challenge a fine, as well as check which crossings they have paid for.
3
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Telegraph
an hour ago
- Telegraph
Campaigners fight Musk's plans for UK ‘energy power grab'
Thousands of activists are threatening to disrupt Elon Musk's bid to gatecrash Britain's energy market, urging regulator Ofgem to block the billionaire's plans. The campaign group Best for Britain, known for fighting against Brexit, has collected more than 8,000 letters from protesters who want to 'stop Musk's energy power grab'. Their opposition has emerged in response to Tesla's plans to launch its own electricity provider in Britain in the coming months, taking on the likes of Octopus Energy and British Gas. Details of Tesla's plans to sell power to UK households were first revealed in The Telegraph, which reported earlier this month that the US electric car maker had applied to Ofgem for an electricity supply licence. The public has until Friday to submit a response to Tesla's application, with Best for Britain attempting to build opposition by overseeing an online campaign against Mr Musk. In a pre-written letter which can be signed by activists, the campaign group says that the billionaire 'should not be allowed anywhere near our energy supply'. The group says that Mr Musk's recent work for Donald Trump and his cost-cutting department of government efficiency (Doge) 'should be unacceptable and disqualifying qualities for entrance into our energy markets'. Soros-backed group Best for Britain had previously campaigned against Brexit but has since reinvented itself as an 'internationalist' organisation and pollster. The group has been funded by George Soros, the Left-wing billionaire whom Mr Musk has repeatedly accused of funding anti-Tesla protests. Naomi Smith, Best for Britain's chief executive, said: 'We've all had a front row seat to Musk's malign influence: turning Twitter into an incubator for Right-wing hate, promoting baseless conspiracy theories and helping Trump secure a second term as US president – something that continues to change our world in profoundly dangerous ways. 'British people are rightly against Musk being anywhere near our electricity supply and that's why we are encouraging more people to make their views known before Friday by using our online tool to write to Ofgem and say they oppose this power grab.' Ofgem is supposed to consider each submission made to electricity licence applications. Best for Britain's boilerplate letter, which only requires signatories to write their name, states: 'Elon Musk's purchase of Twitter (now X) has enabled the rapid spread of misinformation, hatred and conspiracy theories in the UK and across the wider world.' It urges Ofgem to 'reject Tesla's application and protect our country from the influence of such a volatile individual', with thousands of letters set to be delivered to the regulator later this month. Tesla is seeking to push into Britain's electricity market after launching an energy supplier in Texas three years ago. Its operation could integrate with the thousands of households that already own Tesla Powerwall batteries in an attempt to create a 'virtual power plant' that can power houses at peak demand. The company also offers Tesla owners cheaper electric car charging. Sales of Teslas have slumped in Britain in recent months, which has been partly attributed to a backlash against Mr Musk's support for Mr Trump.
Times
2 hours ago
- Times
Holidaymakers with pet separation anxiety simply pack the pooch
It's not a dog's life if you are a pet in Britain. Our national capacity to spoil our furry friends extends to taking them on holiday with us, according to research. A study has found that growing numbers of people are taking their dogs — and sometimes other animals — on trips because they cannot bear to be separated from them. The study found that roughly one in four (26 per cent) of owners have taken their pets on foreign holidays, and the trend is driven by young people. Half of 24 to 34-year-olds have travelled abroad with their animals, compared with less than one in ten over-55s (9 per cent). Londoners are the most likely to take their pets with them. Holidaymakers may not have noticed the trend because the law forbids pets, except guide dogs, from travelling in the cabin of aircraft to and from the UK. However, most flag carriers, such as British Airways and Air France, have long-established pet cargo schemes. You won't see touring pets in the cabin of the aircraft, they have their own area ALAMY The research found that two thirds of owners would like to be able to travel on a plane with their pets, a practice that is allowed for animals below a certain size and weight on many European and American routes. Most owners who take their dogs with them on holiday to Europe use ferries and Eurotunnel, which both accept animals. Pets are allowed to leave and return to the UK under the Pet Travel Scheme, provided they meet the entry and exit requirements, such as having a microchip, a rabies vaccination and an animal health certificate. The certificates must be issued by a vet within ten days of travel. Ferries and Eurotunnel allow for fuss-free travel, but get the paperwork in order ALAMY The survey of more than 1,200 pet owners by the Co-op found that more than half (56 per cent) of those who take their pets abroad do so because 'they're part of the family'. However, roughly one in eight (12 per cent) said they do so because pet boarding facilities are too expensive. Most licensed kennels charge £17 to £20 per dog per day. Rates in London are often far higher — up to £90 a night for standard kennels and even £120 a night for high-end 'canine country clubs'. A third (33 per cent) of owners said they take their pets along because it ensures they will stay active on holiday, but one in three (31 per cent) said they 'couldn't bear the thought of leaving them at home' and would miss them too much. Another factor is that veterinary services are considerably cheaper on the Continent. An investigation by The Times in 2023 found that some procedures are up to three times more expensive in the UK than in France. • 13 of the best dog-friendly Airbnbs in the UK The Co-op says owners need to be careful when travelling abroad with pets because most standard insurance policies do not cover them for emergency treatment overseas. Andrew Nevitt, of Co-op Insurance, said: 'If you are taking your pet abroad, it's important that you ensure you have the correct documentation and they have had the necessary vaccines.' He added: 'Having the right insurance policy in place is also crucial as it will provide you with peace of mind that, should your pet require any treatment, any vet bills will be covered.'
Auto Express
3 hours ago
- Auto Express
Car Deal of the Day: Cupra Formentor offers style, power and low running costs for £253 a month
Stand-out looks; Desirable V2 model 201bhp; 74-mile electric range Just £252.91 a month Spot a Cupra on the road and it'll most likely be the Cupra Formentor. The performance brand's first official model (rather than being a rebadged SEAT like the Ateca and Leon) has been a tremendous success. And it's little wonder when there are deals like this available. Advertisement - Article continues below You can get the keys to an entry-level Formentor V1 petrol for just £246.82 a month from Leasing Options, but we'd be tempted to fork out an extra £6.09 a month to get this higher spec V2 plug-in hybrid version. The V2 gets an added range of tasty extras, such as larger 19-inch alloys, heated front seats, an electrically-adjustable driver's seat with memory function, and a hands-free electric tailgate. That's on top of the standard car's 12.9-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, sports seats and a wireless phone charger. To get this deal you'll need to set aside £3,384.91 as an initial payment, followed by 24 payments of £252.91. Mileage is capped at 5,000 miles a year, but an 8,000-mile limit can be had for an extra £30.86 a month. Under the bonnet you'll find one of the Volkswagen Group's punchy but very frugal 1.5-litre plug-in hybrid petrol engines. With 201bhp and an electric motor, performance is pretty punchy, but the star of the show here is the pure-electric range. At 74 miles, you could reasonably travel around without ever touching the petrol engine in typical everyday driving. Cupra recently gave the Formentor a refreshed look on the outside, with a tweaked front and rear-end to add more presence. Regardless, with its beefy proportions and sloping roofline it's still a very handsome machine. The sporty looks are backed up with a sharp driving experience, too. The Car Deal of the Day selections we make are taken from our own Auto Express Find A Car deals service, which includes the best current offers from car dealers and leasing companies around the UK. Terms and conditions apply, while prices and offers are subject to change and limited availability. If this deal expires, you can find more top Cupra Formentor leasing offers from leading providers on our Cupra Formentor page. Check out the Cupra Formentor deal or take a look at our previous Car Deal of the Day selection here …
