Editing Dartford Crossing (section)

===Cycling===
Bicycles are not permitted on the crossing, but cyclists can be carried across the crossing by the transport authority. Section 27 of the Dartford-Thurrock Crossing Act 1988 requires that this service be provided free of charge. Cyclists report to the crossing control offices on either side, using a free telephone service. The transfer takes around 15 to 30 minutes.<ref name="ha_top">{{cite web |title=Improving our network: The Dartford – Thurrock River Crossing |publisher=Highways Agency |url=http://www.highways.gov.uk/our-road-network/managing-our-roads/improving-our-network/the-dartford-thurrock-river-crossing/ |access-date=4 July 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141013163148/http://www.highways.gov.uk/our-road-network/managing-our-roads/improving-our-network/the-dartford-thurrock-river-crossing |archive-date=13 October 2014}}</ref>

[[File:Dartford Tunnel bus.jpg|thumb|A bus designed to transport bicycles through the Dartford Tunnel in 1963]]
In October 1963, the Dartford Tunnel Joint Committee ordered five [[double-decker bus|double-decker]] buses based on the Ford [[Thames Trader]] chassis for special duties, taking cyclists through the Dartford Tunnel. These had a lower deck purpose-built for carrying bicycles, with upper deck seats for cyclists. Access was via a stairwell to the upper deck starting several feet above the level of the road, accessible from special platforms built at either end of the tunnel; there was also a ladder built into the side of the bodywork for access elsewhere. The design was criticised for failing to protect any passenger from falling off the vehicle, and running costs were estimated at £2,550 per month, with only £45 revenue. The joint committee contracted London Transport to operate the buses on their behalf. The service was reduced to one bus in April 1964 and then cancelled in 1965, to be replaced by the current transfer service using a vehicle with a rear cycle rack.<ref>{{cite web |title=The ill-fated cycle bus |last=Heather |first=Chris |publisher=[[The National Archives (United Kingdom) |The National Archives]] |date=21 November 2013 |url=http://blog.nationalarchives.gov.uk/blog/ill-fated-cycle-bus/ |access-date=5 July 2014}}</ref> One of these buses has been preserved.<ref name="Thames Trader - Country Bus">{{cite web |title=Thames Trader – Country Bus |work=Country Bus |url=http://www.countrybus.org/TT/TT.htm |access-date=29 October 2011}}</ref>