From 1 September, the cost of using the Dartford Crossing has jumped by 40 per cent, leaving drivers with yet another hit to their wallets.
The government announced the hike back in June, saying it’s about managing traffic. But plenty of drivers and motoring groups see it differently, calling it nothing more than a money-making move.
This is the first increase in 11 years, with the last rise taking place in 2014. Here’s how the new charges look:
| Vehicle type | Current cost | New cost (from 1 Sept) | Pre-pay account holders (from 1 Sept) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motorbikes, mopeds, quads | Free | Free | Free |
| Cars, motorhomes, small minibuses | £2.50 | £3.50 | £2.80 |
| Vans, coaches, 2-axle goods vehicles | £3.00 | £4.20 | £3.60 |
| Lorries, larger coaches (more than 2 axles) | £6.00 | £8.40 | £7.20 |
Local residents who pay for an annual pass will also see costs rise, with the price jumping from £20 to £25 a year.
So why the increase? The Department for Transport says it’s all about tackling congestion. On the busiest days, as many as 180,000 vehicles use the crossing, which links Thurrock in Essex with Dartford in Kent. But with so few alternatives, many drivers say the charge feels less like traffic management and more like another unavoidable bill.
The Dartford Crossing has been a paid route since its inception. The first tunnel opened in 1963, with tolls introduced to cover construction costs. A second tunnel was added in 1980, followed by the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge in 1991. The plan was originally to scrap charges in 2003 once everything was paid off, but that never happened. Instead, the toll booths were replaced with the online Dart Charge system in 2014, alongside a price rise at the time.
Motoring groups have been quick to criticise the latest hike. The AA’s Edmund King said the crossing should have been toll-free more than 20 years ago and now acts as what he calls a “nice little earner” for the government. The RAC Foundation also questioned whether a 40 per cent rise is really about managing traffic, pointing out that drivers don’t have many alternatives. And the Road Haulage Association warned the rise will hit businesses hard and push up costs for consumers.
Whether you’re a commuter, a business owner or just heading across the Thames on a trip, the new Dart Charge rates are unavoidable. And with no sign of new crossings being built anytime soon, drivers are being left with little choice but to pay more.
