MP welcomes Transport Minister's statement confirming Dartford Crossing discount for local residents

Today’s statement follows the public consultation on the discount scheme that ended on 16 May. The announcement confirms that the discount scheme will operate in line with the proposal set out in the consultation document.

“I’m pleased that the Minister has confirmed the Government’s intention to set up a discount scheme for Dartford residents. It will provide a major saving for local residents who use the crossing and will go some way to making up for the congestion and pollution generated by the crossing that we have to put up with on a daily basis;” said Dr Stoate.

Eligible residents living in Dartford Borough will be asked to pay a fee of £10 each year upfront. They will then receive an electronic tag that will entitle them to 50 crossings a year (20p per crossing). If they wish to undertake additional crossings they will be asked to top up their credit level at the rate of 20p per journey.

Tags will be registered to a specific vehicle and will not be transferable between vehicles registered at one address. Householders will be able however to apply for a tag for every vehicle registered at their address.

The scheme will cover private cars only and will not be extended to commercial vehicles, vans or lorries. Leased and company cars may be eligible where evidence can be provided that they are for the private use of a resident.

In a letter to Dr Stoate today, the Minister said; “We are still aiming to introduce both the local discount scheme, and the wider package of changes on which we consulted previously, in the autumn. I will announce a firm date later in the year when the statutory instrument is laid (before Parliament) and when we have made more progress putting in place the systems that are needed to make the discount scheme work.”