Jump to content
Main menu
Main menu
move to sidebar
hide
Navigation
Main page
Recent changes
Random page
Help about MediaWiki
Special pages
Niidae Wiki
Search
Search
Appearance
Create account
Log in
Personal tools
Create account
Log in
Pages for logged out editors
learn more
Contributions
Talk
Editing
Dartford Crossing
(section)
Page
Discussion
English
Read
Edit
View history
Tools
Tools
move to sidebar
hide
Actions
Read
Edit
View history
General
What links here
Related changes
Page information
Appearance
move to sidebar
hide
Warning:
You are not logged in. Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits. If you
log in
or
create an account
, your edits will be attributed to your username, along with other benefits.
Anti-spam check. Do
not
fill this in!
==History== ===Western tunnel=== [[File:Dartford tunnel boring 1936.jpg|thumb|left|upright|[[Tunnel boring machine]] used in the western tunnel, 1936.]] {{Infobox UK legislation | short_title = Dartford Tunnel Act 1930 | type = Act | parliament = Parliament of the United Kingdom | long_title = An Act to authorise the construction of a tunnel under the river Thames between Dartford in the county of Kent and Purfleet in the county of Essex and approaches to such tunnel and for other purposes. | year = 1930 | citation = [[20 & 21 Geo. 5]]. c. clxxxii | introduced_commons = | introduced_lords = | territorial_extent = | royal_assent = 1 August 1930 | commencement = | expiry_date = | repeal_date = | amends = | replaces = | amendments = Dartford Tunnel Act 1937 | repealing_legislation = Dartford Tunnel Act 1967 | related_legislation = | status = repealed | legislation_history = | theyworkforyou = | millbankhansard = | original_text = https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukla/Geo5/20-21/182/pdfs/ukla_19300182_en.pdf | revised_text = | use_new_UK-LEG = | UK-LEG_title = | collapsed = yes }} {{Infobox UK legislation | short_title = Dartford Tunnel Act 1937 | type = Act | parliament = Parliament of the United Kingdom | long_title = An Act to authorise a variation of the works authorised by the Dartford Tunnel Act 1930 to amend that Act in certain respects and for other purposes. | year = 1937 | citation = [[1 Edw. 8. & 1 Geo. 6]] c. cxxvii | introduced_commons = | introduced_lords = | territorial_extent = | royal_assent = 30 July 1937 | commencement = | expiry_date = | repeal_date = | amends = Dartford Tunnel Act 1930 | replaces = | amendments = | repealing_legislation = Dartford Tunnel Act 1967 | related_legislation = | status = repealed | legislation_history = | theyworkforyou = | millbankhansard = | original_text = | revised_text = | use_new_UK-LEG = | UK-LEG_title = | collapsed = yes }} {{Infobox UK legislation | short_title = {{visible anchor|Dartford Tunnel Act 1957}} | type = Act | parliament = Parliament of the United Kingdom | long_title = An Act to authorise variations of the works authorised by the Dartford Tunnel Acts 1930 and 1937 including the construction of new works to amend those Acts in certain respects to confer further powers in connection with those works and for other purposes. | year = 1957 | citation = [[5 & 6 Eliz. 2]]. c. xxxiv | introduced_commons = | introduced_lords = | territorial_extent = | royal_assent = 31 July 1957 | commencement = | expiry_date = | repeal_date = | amends = | replaces = | amendments = | repealing_legislation = Dartford Tunnel Act 1967 | related_legislation = | status = repealed | legislation_history = | theyworkforyou = | millbankhansard = | original_text = https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukla/Eliz2/5-6/34/pdfs/ukla_19570034_en.pdf | revised_text = | use_new_UK-LEG = | UK-LEG_title = | collapsed = yes }} The idea of a tunnel crossing was first proposed by the [[Ministry of Transport (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Transport]] in 1924.<ref name='New Thames Tunnel'>{{cite news |newspaper=The Times |title=New Thames Tunnel |date=20 December 1924}}</ref> Initial reports at the start of the year suggested a crossing between [[Tilbury]] and [[Gravesend, Kent|Gravesend]], replacing a [[Gravesend–Tilbury Ferry|ferry service]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Gravesend – Tilbury Tunnel |last=Gosling |first=Harry |date=28 February 1924 |work=[[Hansard |Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)]] |url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1924/feb/28/gravesend-tilbury-tunnel#S5CV0170P0_19240228_HOC_172 |access-date=30 April 2014}},</ref> but this had been rejected by July in favour of a route further upstream, near Dartford.<ref>{{cite web |title=Air Force Estimates 1924–25 |last=Burney |first=Charles |date=31 July 1924 |work=[[Hansard |Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)]] |url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1924/jul/31/air-force-estimates-1924-25#S5CV0176P0_19240731_HOC_441 |access-date=30 April 2014}}</ref> By 1929, the total cost of building the tunnel had been estimated at £3 million (equivalent to £{{inflation|UK-GDP|3|1929}} million in {{inflation/year|UK-GDP}}{{inflation/fn|UK-GDP}}).<ref>{{cite web |title=Thames Tunnel Scheme |last=Ashley |first=Wilfrid |date=16 April 1929 |work=[[Hansard |Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)]] |url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1929/apr/16/thames-tunnel-scheme#S5CV0227P0_19290416_HOC_59 |access-date=30 April 2014}}</ref> The tunnel was planned to be part of a general orbital route around London and was provisionally known as part of the "South Orbital Road".{{sfn|TMA|2004|p=xxxii}} The '''{{visible anchor|Dartford Tunnel Act 1930}}''' ([[20 & 21 Geo. 5]]. c. clxxxii) authorised the construction of the tunnel, and set tolls to be charged for its use. It was amended by the '''{{visible anchor|Dartford Tunnel Act 1937}}''' ([[1 Edw. 8. & 1 Geo. 6]]. c. cxxvii) to adjust the design and increase the permitted tolls. [[File:Dartford crossing approach.jpg|thumb|Northbound vehicles approaching the entrance to the western tunnel, with the bridge in the background]] The first engineering work to take place was a [[compressed air]] driven pilot tunnel, which was drilled between 1936 and 1938.{{sfn|Jardine|McCallum|2013|p=246}} Work on the tunnel was delayed due to World War II, and resumed in 1959, using a [[Tunnelling shield|Greathead Shield]], similar to the work on the [[Blackwall Tunnel]] some 60 years earlier.{{sfn|Jardine|McCallum|2013|p=246}} The delay in work due to the war allowed the tunnel's design to be improved, which included a better ventilation system. After negotiations with the Ministry of Transport, Kent and Essex county councils obtained government approval to increase the previously set tolls in 1960, before opening.{{sfn|TMA|2004|p=846}} The two-lane bore, 28 feet | 8.6m diameter tunnel{{sfn|Banister|Berechman|2003|p=65}} opened to traffic on 18 November 1963;<ref name=AATrust/>{{sfn|Fautley|Garon|2004|p=263}} the total project cost was £13 million (equivalent to £{{inflation|UK-GDP|13|1963}} million in {{inflation/year|UK-GDP}}{{inflation/fn|UK-GDP}})<ref name="km">{{cite news |title=Golden birthday for Dartford Tunnel |work=Kent Messenger |date=18 November 2013 |url=http://www.kentonline.co.uk/dartford/news/golden-birthday-for-dartford-tunnel-9011/ |access-date=30 April 2014}}</ref> and it initially served approximately 12,000 vehicles per day.{{sfn|Banister|Berechman|2003|p=65}} {{Infobox UK legislation | short_title = Dartford Tunnel Act 1967 | type = Act | parliament = Parliament of the United Kingdom | long_title = An Act to authorise the construction of a further tunnel under the river Thames between West Thurrock in the county of Essex and Dartford in the county of Kent with approaches thereto; to consolidate with amendments the Dartford Tunnel Acts, 1930 to 1962; to confer further powers in connection with the works authorised by those Acts and the new works; and for other purposes. | year = 1967 | citation = [[List of acts of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1967|1967]] c. xxxvii | introduced_commons = | introduced_lords = | territorial_extent = | royal_assent = 27 July 1967 | commencement = | expiry_date = | repeal_date = | amends = | replaces = {{ubli|Dartford Tunnel Act 1930|Dartford Tunnel Act 1937}} | amendments = | repealing_legislation = Dartford Tunnel Act 1984 | related_legislation = | status = repealed | legislation_history = | theyworkforyou = | millbankhansard = | original_text = https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukla/1967/37/pdfs/ukla_19670037_en.pdf | revised_text = | use_new_UK-LEG = | UK-LEG_title = | collapsed = yes }} {{Infobox UK legislation | short_title = {{visible anchor|Dartford Tunnel Act 1984}} | type = Act | parliament = Parliament of the United Kingdom | long_title = An Act to repeal the Dartford Tunnel Act 1967 and to re-enact certain provisions of that Act with amendments; to confer further powers in connection with the works authorised by that Act and by Acts repealed by that Act; and for other purposes. | year = 1984 | citation = [[List of acts of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1984|1984]] c. xvii | introduced_commons = | introduced_lords = | territorial_extent = | royal_assent = 26 July 1984 | commencement = | expiry_date = | repeal_date = | amends = | replaces = | amendments = | repealing_legislation = Dartford-Thurrock Crossing Act 1988 | related_legislation = | status = repealed | legislation_history = | theyworkforyou = | millbankhansard = | original_text = https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukla/1984/17/pdfs/ukla_19840017_en.pdf | revised_text = | use_new_UK-LEG = | UK-LEG_title = | collapsed = yes }} The toll was originally two [[shilling (British coin)|shillings]] and [[sixpence (British coin)|sixpence]], equivalent to 12.5p post-[[decimalisation]], and approximately equivalent in purchasing power to £{{Format price|{{Inflation|UK|0.125|1963|{{inflation/year|UK}}}}}} in {{inflation/year|UK}}.{{Inflation/fn|UK}}<ref name="moate">{{cite web |title=Dartford Tunnel Bill |last=Moate |first=Roger |date=6 February 1984 |work=[[Hansard |Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)]] |url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1984/feb/06/dartford-tunnel-bill-lords |access-date=6 July 2014}}</ref> The '''{{visible anchor|Dartford Tunnel Act 1967}}''' (c. xxxvii) gave a [[joint committee (UK local government)|joint committee]] of Kent and Essex county councils (the Dartford Tunnel Joint Committee) the authority to increase the tolls, and in December 1977, the toll was raised from 25p to 35p for cars, 40p to 55p for two-axle goods vehicles, and 60p to 85p for HGVs.<ref>{{cite news |title=Dartford Tunnel: Proposed Increase In Tolls |newspaper=London Gazette |date=16 September 1977 |url=https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/47409/page/15818/data.pdf |access-date=7 July 2014}}</ref> By 1984, the toll for cars had risen to 60p.<ref name="moate"/> ===Eastern tunnel=== [[File:Dartford Tunnel Ventilation Shaft - geograph.org.uk - 4416.jpg|thumb|A ventilation shaft to the north of the east tunnel]] The first tunnel was expected to carry two million vehicles a year<ref name="km"/> but by 1970 was carrying over eight million.<ref>{{cite web |title=Dartford Tunnel |last=Carmichael |first=Neil |work=[[Hansard |Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)]] |date=7 July 1975 |url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/written-answers/1975/jul/07/dartford-tunnel#S5CV0895P0_19750707_CWA_135 |access-date=25 May 2014}}</ref> That year, [[Michael Heseltine]], then a junior transport minister, announced that a second tunnel would be built in conjunction with the North Orbital Road, later to become the M25.<ref>{{cite web |title=Dartford Tunnel and North Orbital Road |last=Heseltine |first=Michael |work=[[Hansard |Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)]] |date=20 November 1970 |url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/written-answers/1970/nov/20/dartford-tunnel-and-north-orbital-road#S5CV0806P0_19701120_CWA_157 |access-date=25 May 2014}}</ref> Construction was approved in April 1971, with an initial expected opening date in 1976.<ref>{{cite web |title=Second Dartford tunnel |last=Page |first=Graham |work=[[Hansard |Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)]] |date=28 April 1971 |url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1971/apr/28/second-dartford-tunnel#S5CV0816P0_19710428_HOC_45 |access-date=25 May 2014}}</ref> Work was delayed due to a lack of funds, which was resolved by [[EEC]] funding granted in 1974.<ref>{{cite web |title=European Investment Bank Grants (London) |last=Dell |first=Edmund |work=[[Hansard |Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)]] |date=8 April 1975 |url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/written-answers/1975/apr/08/european-investment-bank-grants-london#S5CV0889P0_19750408_CWA_108 |access-date=25 May 2014}}</ref> The second tunnel opened in May 1980, allowing each tunnel to handle one direction of traffic, by which time the joint capacity of the two tunnels had increased to 65,000 vehicles per day.{{Sfn|Banister|Berechman|2003|p=65}} Connection of the crossing to the M25 was completed on the southerly Kent side in 1977 (Junction 2) and to the northerly Essex side in September 1982 (Junction 31).<ref>{{cite web |title=The M25 – Statistics |publisher=Chartered Institute of Highway Technicians |url=http://www.ciht.org.uk/motorway/m25stats.htm |access-date=25 May 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140525234033/http://www.ciht.org.uk/motorway/m25stats.htm |archive-date=25 May 2014}}</ref> Following the completion of the M25 in 1986, the daily demand had grown to 79,000 vehicles.{{Sfn|Banister|Berechman|2003|p=65}} ===Queen Elizabeth II Bridge=== {{redirect|Queen Elizabeth II Bridge}} [[File:Queen Elizabeth II Bridge - geograph.org.uk - 122668.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Each tower on the Queen Elizabeth II bridge is {{convert|137|m|ft}} high.]] During the early 1980s, it was anticipated that traffic through the tunnel would rise on the completion of the M25 in 1986. At the time, the expectation was that other routes in London would be improved instead, diverting 15% of traffic away from the tunnel.<ref>{{cite web |title=Dartford Tunnel |last=Chalker |first=Lynda |work=[[Hansard |Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)]] |date=19 June 1984 |url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/written-answers/1984/jun/19/dartford-tunnel#S6CV0062P0_19840619_CWA_43 |access-date=2 July 2014}}</ref> In 1985, the Transport Minister, [[Lynda Chalker]], announced that the number of toll booths would be increased to 12 each way, but concern grew that two tunnels would not be able to cope with the full demands of a completed M25.<ref>{{cite web |title=Dartford Tunnel |last1=Townsend |first1=Cyril |last2=Bonsor |first2=Nicholas |last3=Chalker |first3=Lynda |work=[[Hansard |Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)]] |date=21 October 1985 |url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1985/oct/21/dartford-tunnel#S6CV0084P0_19851021_HOC_460 |access-date=2 July 2014}}</ref> Between September 1985 and December 1986, proposals for improvements to the Dartford Crossing underwent several changes,{{sfn|H.M. Stationery Office|1989|p=30}} and in 1986, a [[Trafalgar House (company)|Trafalgar House]] consortium won a bid to build a new bridge at Dartford crossing, valued at £86 million (£{{inflation|UK-GDP|86|1986}} million in {{inflation/year|UK-GDP}}{{inflation/fn|UK-GDP}}).{{sfn|Banister|Berechman|2003|p=65}} At the time there were several other privately financed projects planned or under construction in the UK, including the [[Second Severn Crossing]]. From 1981 until the establishment of the [[private finance initiative]] (PFI) regime in the late 1980s, private investment projects were governed by the [[Ryrie Rules]] which dictated that "any privately-financed solution must be shown to be more cost-effective than a publicly-financed alternative, and that privately-financed expenditure by nationalised industries could not be additional to public expenditure provision" [annual budget], "which would be reduced by the amount of private finance borrowed."{{sfn|House of Lords: Select Committee on Economic Affairs|2010|p=9}} {{anchor|Dartford-Thurrock Crossing Act 1988}} {{Infobox UK legislation | short_title = Dartford-Thurrock Crossing Act 1988 | type = Act | parliament = Parliament of the United Kingdom | long_title = An Act to provide for the construction of a bridge over the river Thames between Dartford in Kent and Thurrock in Essex and of associated works; to provide for the Secretary of State to be the highway authority for the highways passing through the tunnels under that river between Dartford and Thurrock and their approaches instead of Kent and Essex County Councils; to provide for the levying of tolls, by a person appointed by the Secretary of State or by the Secretary of State, in respect of traffic using the crossing; to provide for transfers of property and liabilities of those Councils to the person appointed and the Secretary of State and for the transfer to the Secretary of State of property and liabilities of the person appointed on termination of his appointment; to provide for the management of the crossing, including the imposition of prohibitions, restrictions and requirements in relation to traffic, and otherwise in relation to the crossing; and for connected purposes. | year = 1988 | citation = [[List of acts of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1988|1988]] c. 20 | introduced_commons = | introduced_lords = | territorial_extent = | royal_assent = 28 June 1988 | commencement = | expiry_date = | repeal_date = | amends = | replaces = Dartford Tunnel Act 1984 | amendments = | repealing_legislation = | related_legislation = | status = | legislation_history = | theyworkforyou = | millbankhansard = | original_text = https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/20/contents/enacted | revised_text = | use_new_UK-LEG = | UK-LEG_title = Dartford-Thurrock Crossing Act 1988 | collapsed = yes }} On 31 July 1988, a private finance initiative concession was enabled under the Dartford-Thurrock Crossing Act 1988 (c. 20), which transferred control of the crossing from Kent and Essex county councils to Dartford River Crossing Limited, a private company managed by Rodney Jones.{{sfn|The Institution|1992|p=10}} The company would also bear the debt of the bridge, then under construction, "financed 100% by debt, with no equity contribution".{{sfn|ITF|2013|p=42}}{{Efn|An alternative source says "near" 100% rather than 100% explicitly.{{sfn|Miller|Lessard|2001|p=177}}}} The private company was at risk of not recuperating their costs, but ultimately the Dartford scheme demonstrated that the Ryrie Rules were no longer a barrier to the private financing of public infrastructure projects.{{sfn|Hodge|Greve|Boardman|2010|p=529}} The concession was scheduled for 20 years from the transfer date, with a stipulation that it could end when debts had been paid off, which was agreed to have been achieved on 31 March 2002.{{sfn|HA|2014|p=5}} According to the ''International Handbook on Public-Private Partnership'', the chief financing for the project came from a "20-year subordinated loan stock, 16-year loan stock and £85 million (£{{inflation|UK-GDP|85|1988}} million in {{inflation/year|UK-GDP}}{{inflation/fn|UK-GDP}}) as a term loan from banks".{{sfn|Hodge|Greve|Boardman|2010|p=529}} The construction contract was let to a joint venture of [[Kværner]], [[Cleveland Bridge & Engineering Company]] and the [[Cementation Company]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Queen Elizabeth II Bridge |publisher=Engineering Timelines |url=http://www.engineering-timelines.com/scripts/engineeringItem.asp?id=105 |access-date=18 September 2021}}</ref> Construction of the bridge started immediately after the creation of the PFI in 1988.<ref name="ha_about">{{cite web |title=About the Crossing |publisher=Highways Agency |url=http://www.highways.gov.uk/our-road-network/managing-our-roads/improving-our-network/the-dartford-thurrock-river-crossing/about-the-crossing/ |access-date=2 July 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714153646/http://www.highways.gov.uk/our-road-network/managing-our-roads/improving-our-network/the-dartford-thurrock-river-crossing/about-the-crossing/ |archive-date=14 July 2014}}</ref> It was designed by German civil engineer {{Interlanguage link|Hellmut Homberg|de}}, with the UK's [[Halcrow Group]] acting as category 3 check engineer, employer's agent and engineering adviser.<ref name="Simpson-27Jun1991">{{cite news |last1=Simpson |first1=Jim |title=Dartford Bridge Supplement – Design Group Sir William Halcrow Has Many Roles in the Project. (1 of 2) |work=Construction News |date=27 June 1991 |url=https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/archive/28jun91-uk-dartford-bridge-supplement-design-group-sir-william-halcrow-has-many-roles-in-the-project-1-of-2-27-06-1991/ |access-date=29 June 2020}}</ref> The two main [[Caisson (engineering)|caissons]] supporting the bridge piers were constructed in the Netherlands. Each caisson was designed to withstand a [[bridge strike]] of a ship weighing up to 65,000 tonnes and travelling up to {{convert|18.5|kph|mph}}<ref name="et">{{cite web |title=Queen Elizabeth II Bridge |publisher=Engineering Timelines |url=http://www.engineering-timelines.com/scripts/engineeringItem.asp?id=105 |access-date=2 July 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714195958/http://www.engineering-timelines.com/scripts/engineeringItem.asp?id=105 |archive-date=14 July 2014}}</ref> The bridge deck is about {{convert|61|m|ft}} high, and it took a team of around 56 to assemble its structure. During construction of the approach road, a World War II bomb was found in its path, which required closure of the entire crossing.<ref name="pattison">{{cite news |title=The man who helped build the Dartford bridge |last=Pattison |first=Jo |work=BBC News |date=28 October 2011 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-15467112 |access-date=6 July 2014}}</ref> The bridge was opened by [[Queen Elizabeth II]] on 30 October 1991.{{sfn|TMA|2004|p=xiii}} The total cost of construction was £120 million (£{{Format price|{{Inflation|UK-GDP|120000000|1990|r=-4}}}} in {{inflation/year|UK-GDP}}{{Inflation/fn|UK-GDP}}), including £30 million (£{{inflation|UK-GDP|30|1991}} million in {{inflation/year|UK-GDP}}{{inflation/fn|UK-GDP}}) for the approach roads.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Bridge design stretched to the limits: Cable-stayed bridges are a type of suspended crossing. Spare but functional, they exploit a form of bridge engineering that is bringing down the cost of progressively longer crossings |journal=New Scientist |number=1792 |last=O'Neill |first=Bill |date=26 October 1991 |url=https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg13217924.900-bridge-design-stretched-to-the-limits-cablestayed-bridgesare-a-type-of-suspended-crossing-spare-but-functional-they-exploit-a-formof-bridge-engineering-that-is-bringing-down-the-cost-of-progressively-longercrossings-.html |access-date=6 July 2014}}</ref> The proposed name had been simply the Dartford Bridge, but Thurrock residents objected and suggested the Tilbury Bridge, leading to a compromise.<ref name="pattison"/> At the time of opening, it had the longest cable-stayed span of any bridge in Europe.<ref name="et"/> It is the only bridge across the Thames downstream of Central London to be opened since [[Tower Bridge]] in 1894.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Dartford Crossing – Forerunner of the Private Finance Initiative |last=Bailey |first=Alan |author-link=Alan Bailey |publisher=Chartered Institute of Highways Engineers |url=http://motorwayarchive.ihtservices.co.uk/en/publication/visualisation--policy/part-8-direction-of-policy-towards-the-future/ |access-date=6 July 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714171210/http://motorwayarchive.ihtservices.co.uk/en/publication/visualisation--policy/part-8-direction-of-policy-towards-the-future/ |archive-date=14 July 2014}}</ref> {{Wide image|Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, Dartford, England - Feb 2009.jpg|800px|The Queen Elizabeth II Bridge as viewed from Greenhithe, {{cvt|1+1/2|mi|km|round=0.5}} east of the bridge in Kent|right}} ===Charging scheme=== In 2000, the [[European Union]] issued a directive that [[value-added tax]] should be charged on all road tolls, including the Dartford Crossing. The Government opposed the directive and said it would bear the additional cost.<ref>{{cite news |title=Europe imposes road toll VAT |work=BBC News |date=12 September 2000 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/922119.stm |access-date=6 July 2014}}</ref> It was anticipated that the tolls would be removed on 1 April 2003 under the original PFI scheme contract. However, the Highways Agency decided that the tolls would become a "charge", under legislation introduced by the [[Transport Act 2000]] to introduce charging schemes on any trunk road bridge or tunnel at least {{convert|600|m|ft}} in length.{{sfn|HA|2014|p=5}}<ref>{{cite news |title=Motorists "let down" by toll u-turn |date=1 April 2003 |work=[[BBC News]] |publisher=BBC |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/2905225.stm |access-date=27 February 2008 |quote="From [1 April 2003] motorists should have been able to cross for free but the government's change of mind means car drivers still have to pay the £1 charge. The AA Motoring Trust, a new charity linked to the AA said the government had broken its promise to scrap the toll. In 1996, the consortium behind the bridge proposed building a second bridge at no extra cost to the Treasury, on condition that the concession period was increased to allow them to recover their costs and generate a profit."}}</ref>{{Sfn|Banister|Berechman|2003|p=65}} Under the 2000 Transport Act, the A282 Trunk Road (Dartford-Thurrock Crossing charging scheme) Order 2002 allowed the continuation of the crossing fee, which officially became a charge and not a toll on 1 April 2003. Management of the crossing was contracted to Le Crossing Company Limited on behalf of the Highways Agency.{{sfn|HA|2014|p=6}} In September 2009 the Highways Agency made a new contract with Connect Plus (M25) Limited. As well as maintaining the crossing, the contract required the company to widen around 40 miles of the M25 and to refurbish a tunnel on the [[A1(M)]] at [[Hatfield, Hertfordshire|Hatfield]].{{sfn|HA|2014|p=6}} In October 2009, the Government announced its intention to sell the crossing as part of a public sector deficit reduction strategy.<ref> {{cite news |title=Gordon Brown's fire sale of public assets to raise £16bn |last=Stratton |first=Allegra |author-link=Allegra Stratton |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |location=[[London]] |date=12 October 2009 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2009/oct/12/gordon-brown-public-asset-sale |access-date=11 July 2010 |quote=Not all of the assets are surprising, with chancellor Alistair Darling announcing last month that the government intended to sell off the Dartford crossing as part of its attempt to meet the £16bn target. }} </ref> The announcement was unpopular with local residents, who encouraged drivers to sound their horns in protest when using the crossing.<ref>{{cite news |title=Dartford Crossing future in doubt |work=BBC News |date=26 April 2010 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/election_2010/england/8644336.stm |access-date=6 July 2014}}</ref> After the change of government following the [[2010 United Kingdom general election|2010 general election]], the new [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|prime minister]] [[David Cameron]] announced that the crossing might still be sold, despite local opposition, particularly from [[Gareth Johnson]], [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]] (MP) for Dartford.<ref>{{cite news |title=DARTFORD: New MP vows to fight Dartford Crossing sale and tolls |work=News Shopper |date=16 May 2010 |url=http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/8167032.DARTFORD__New_MP_vows_to_fight_Dartford_Crossing_sale_and_tolls/ |access-date=6 July 2014}}</ref> Subsequently, the chancellor [[George Osborne]] announced that charges would be increased instead to cover the budget deficit.<ref>{{cite news |title=Dartford Crossing toll charge to be increased |work=BBC News |date=18 June 2010 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-11586160 |access-date=6 July 2014}}</ref> Pre-pay accounts for the crossing were introduced around this time; drivers held an [[electronic toll collection|electronic device]] called a DART-Tag in the vehicle that automatically deducted the charge at payment booths.<ref>{{cite web |title=Dart Charge – FAQ |publisher=Dart Tag (official website) |url=http://www.dart-tag.co.uk/nossl/index.php?page=faq |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130325064246/http://www.dart-tag.co.uk/nossl/index.php?page=faq |archive-date=25 March 2013}}</ref> This was abolished when the Dart Charge was introduced in 2014.<ref>{{cite web |title=Dart Charge: Dartford Crossing remote payment |publisher=Highway Agency |date=16 December 2014 |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/dart-charge-dartford-crossing-remote-payment |access-date=7 August 2016}}</ref> Under the 2008 Charging Order introduced on 15 November 2008, charges between 10 pm and 6 am were discontinued, but standard daytime rates increased, starting at £1.50 for cars.<ref>{{cite web |title=The A282 Trunk Road (Dartford-Thurrock Crossing Charging Scheme) Order 2008 |publisher=Highways Agency |date=21 July 2008 |url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2008/1951/body/made?view=plain |access-date=6 July 2014}}</ref> On 7 October 2012 the charges increased to £2 for cars, £2.50 for 2 axle goods vehicles and £5 for multi-axle goods vehicles.<ref>{{cite news |title=Dartford Crossing toll charges set to rise |work=BBC News |date=22 May 2012 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-18159668 |access-date=6 December 2016}}</ref> By 2012, local businesses were complaining that the crossing's charge booths were impeding local growth. The government announced that a new electronic charging system would be introduced in 2014. Drivers would be able to pay by phone, text, online or in shops.<ref>{{cite news |work=BBC News |title=Businesses want Dartford Crossing toll booth removal speeded-up |date=30 November 2012 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-20554969 |access-date=4 July 2014}}</ref> The charge was proposed to increase to £2.50 for cars, £3 for two-axle goods vehicles and £6 for multi-axle vehicles.<ref>{{cite web |title=Revised charges at Dartford Crossing |last=Penning |first=Mike |publisher=Department for Transport |date=22 May 2012 |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/revised-charges-to-improve-dartford-crossing |access-date=7 July 2014}}</ref> Drivers not exempt and not paying the charge within 28 days are charged £105.<ref>{{cite news |title=Dartford Crossing fines up to £105 when barriers removed |work=BBC News |date=1 November 2012 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-20168817 |access-date=4 July 2014}}</ref> Preparation work on the free-flow scheme started in April 2014.<ref>{{cite news |title=Dartford free-flow crossing work begins |work=BBC News |date=22 April 2014 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-27102777 |access-date=4 July 2014}}</ref> Concerns were raised about reliability, with a Highways Agency report predicting that it could lose up to £6m of unpaid charges per year.<ref>{{cite news |title=Dartford Crossing to lose '£6m a year in unpaid tolls' |work=BBC News |date=17 July 2013 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-23334597 |access-date=4 July 2014}}</ref> In September, the Highways Agency announced that the new scheme would start to operate at the end of November, though related works to remove barriers would continue until April 2015.<ref>{{cite news |title=Dartford Crossing cashless system date set |work=BBC News |date=20 September 2014 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-29293449 |access-date=25 September 2014}}</ref> Subsequently, the date for removal of the booths was confirmed as 30 November.<ref name="km20141105">{{cite news |title=Dart Charge date fixed for November 30 when Dartford Crossing goes toll booth free |newspaper=Kent Messenger |date=5 November 2014 |url=http://www.kentonline.co.uk/dartford/news/date-set-for-crossing-change-26502/ |access-date=6 November 2014}}</ref> The Dart Charge scheme was considered a success by the project management, who claimed it has reduced peak-time round trips over the crossing by 15 minutes. [[The Automobile Association]] said the scheme had faults, while a 2015 BBC report showed 1.8 million fines had been issued for failure to pay in the year since the charge was set up.<ref>{{cite news |title=More than 1.8 million fines at Dartford crossing under Dart charge |work=BBC News |date=30 November 2015 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-34968025 |access-date=8 August 2016}}</ref> In 2023, a system upgrade prevented many users from paying the Dart Charge, and National Highways temporarily extended its payment deadline to accommodate the problem.<ref name="Blunt-31Jul2023">{{cite news |last1=Blunt |first1=Rose |title=Dart Charge: Drivers struggling to pay for Dartford Crossing |work=BBC News |date=31 July 2023 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-66361486 |access-date=1 August 2023}}</ref>
Summary:
Please note that all contributions to Niidae Wiki may be edited, altered, or removed by other contributors. If you do not want your writing to be edited mercilessly, then do not submit it here.
You are also promising us that you wrote this yourself, or copied it from a public domain or similar free resource (see
Encyclopedia:Copyrights
for details).
Do not submit copyrighted work without permission!
Cancel
Editing help
(opens in new window)
Search
Search
Editing
Dartford Crossing
(section)
Add topic
