Dartford Tunnel - Talk Britain

Sweetpea · #1 (**permalink**) 15-05-2008, 14:44

Got this email at work today:

Please visit this site Petition to: abolish the Dartford Crossing Toll charges. and sign the petition.

This government are raking in £50,000,000.00 every year (that's nearly one million pounds every week) while we sit in miles and miles of traffic caused by the tolls. And if we don't do something that will increase to £75 million next year.

As you can see from the information below they have been charging us for the last 5 years despite the legal authority to do so expiring in April 2003. They want to raise the amount they charge by 50%.

Despite calls to scrap the Dartford Crossing Toll and allow vehicles to move freely across the river, the Government now propose to increase the standard charge from £1.00 to £1.50 for cars later this year.

The charge was introduced in 1963 and was designed to pay for the construction costs of the tunnels and latterly the bridge. These costs were finally paid off in 2002 and the legal authority to charge a toll expired in April 2003. However, the Government decided to continue the toll under the guise of a congestion charge.

This petition calls for the toll to be scrapped, as soon as is practicable, on the following grounds:
a)The congestion, which can stretch for many miles on either side of the crossing, is largely due to the effect of the tollbooths themselves
b)The exhaust fumes generated by thousands of cars waiting in line causes unnecessary environmental damage
c)The delays add unnecessary expense to business and transport costs

Anybody who has ever been through here will know just what it's like.

#2 (**permalink**) 15-05-2008, 14:54

I used to know a lass who was nicknamed Dartford tunnel, no mention of toll charge though.

Nice action I think, lets give them some of their own bullshit back.

easyg · #3 (**permalink**) 15-05-2008, 16:55

Sweets, Having been born in Dartford and spent the first thirty years there, I know a little of the history. When the original tunnel was proposed, it was said that after five years, it will have paid for itself (Fat Chance) They said the same about the second and also the QE Bridge.
Its to much of a money spinner for them to stop charging a toll.
Will sign your petition forthwith.

terrywit · #4 (**permalink**) 15-05-2008, 17:34

well it costs two f'ecking seventy to cross the humber bridge........

Sweetpea · #5 (**permalink**) 15-05-2008, 17:35

From here we have to cross the Dartford bridge to get to the Humber, so count yourself lucky!!

#6 (**permalink**) 16-05-2008, 09:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by easyg

When the original tunnel was proposed, it was said that after five years, it will have paid for itself (Fat Chance) They said the same about the second and also the QE Bridge.

They said the same about the two Mersey tunnels.