I'm sure you will be able to pay online in advance & for the return trip if you like & also by text as well, they will have to have practical ways of paying on the move.
The Dartford - Thurrock River Crossing
Introduction of remote payment
From October 2014 there will be changes to how you pay to use the Dartford crossing. You will no longer stop at the crossing barriers to pay the charge, instead payment will be made:
online
via text
on the phone
at retail outlets
There is no need to do anything yet.
Current DART-Tag holders will still be able to use their existing DART-Tag when remote payment is introduced and will not lose any credit from their existing accounts. Any remaining funds will either be transferred to the new accounts or refunded, as appropriate. If you need to do anything we will contact you before the changes.
We will be running a public information campaign from spring 2014; this will include further information about the transition process for existing accounts.
Once remote payment is in place you’ll be able to pay in advance of crossing, or up to midnight the day after crossing. You will still be able to save up to a third on every crossing by setting up an account and keeping it topped up. You can top up manually, or automatically as the balance reaches a certain threshold.
The penalty charge for non-payment will be £70, which is discounted to £35 if paid within 14 days. If the penalty charge remains unpaid after 28 days it will increase to £105. New legislation will enable the Highways Agency to enforce the crossing charge. Penalty charges and recovery processes will be used to tackle those who do not pay.
The Dartford – Thurrock Crossing Charging Scheme account for 2012–13 was published on 23 January 2014. The accounts set out details of the receipts collected and the costs incurred in operating and maintaining the crossing, and the associated assets and liabilities.
Current charges
Currently the crossing charge can be paid by stopping at the barriers. Full details of charges, payment methods and discount schemes can be found on the DART-Tag website.
Cars with a DART-Tag can use all lanes. Twin-axle and multi-axle vehicles with a DART-tag need to use the wider staffed lanes (1–9 northbound and 15–23 southbound).
Euro notes — NOT coins — are accepted at the booths. Any change due is given in UK Sterling. No other currencies are accepted.
The charging regime at the Dartford-Thurrock river crossing came into effect on 1 April 2003. This followed a study that suggested the use of the crossing would grow more rapidly if there were no charge, resulting in an increased negative impact on the local community and users of the Crossing.
After taking maintenance and improvements into account, revenues from the crossing must by law be spent on transport.
View the road user charging legislation:
A282 Trunk Road (Dartford-Thurrock Crossing Charging Scheme) Order 2008
A282 Trunk Road (Dartford– Thurrock Crossing Charging Scheme) Order 2002
A282 Trunk Road (Dartford-Thurrock Crossing Charging Scheme) Order 2013
Charge suspension
The charges can currently be suspended on a case by case basis, as part of the government’s commitment to ease traffic flow at the crossing. Suspensions can occur where there has been or is likely to be an emergency situation:
where continuous queues of stationary or slow moving traffic travelling under 10 mph extend back — or have the potential to extend back — to the junctions 4 or 28 of the M25 or beyond
where the suspension of the charge would ease the congestion and assist in managing the emergency situation
You can view the Crossing charging – suspension protocol to read about the operational arrangements in greater detail.
Cyclists
Cyclists are prohibited from riding across the bridge or through the tunnels. However the Crossing staff will arrange for you to be transported from one side to the other free of charge.
Northbound cyclists should head to the Kent Control Point. Southbound cyclists should dismount at the Essex control point — a free call telephone is provided should this point be unattended. The transfer should take 15 to 30 minutes.
If you are riding a tandem or travelling as a group it is advisable to make prior arrangements by contacting the Crossing.
Motorbikes
Motorcyclists receive free passage. However, it is still necessary for all motorcycles to stop at the staffed booths and wait for confirmation from the collector that it is ok to continue through the barrier.
Strong winds
The Dartford-Thurrock river crossing – strong winds protocolis in place to ensure the users of the Queen Elizabeth II (QEII) bridge are protected against an accident caused by high winds on this high exposed structure.
Dangerous Goods
With effect from January 2010 the Dartford tunnels are classed as Category C under the European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR). Find out more about transporting dangerous goods.
EETS
Download the EETS (European Electronic Tolling Service) Domain Statement.
Abnormal Loads
For further details of abnormal load charges please see the charging schedule leaflet.
About the Crossing
Background information about the Dartford-Thurrock river crossing.
Publications
Publications for the The Dartford — Thurrock River Crossing.
Traffic Flow
Traffic flow information for the Dartford — Thurrock River Crossing
Theres no reason to suppose it won't still be free at those times. I would have thought that paying by text or online is less complicated than fumbling for coin at a toll booth.
Well I would think that they're likely to be chasing penalties as it seems very complicated to me. We only use the crossing four times a year, on our way to the ferry and back, and whilst it might speed things up I very much doubt it - especially if there are still narrow lanes to queue to go through!
We don't find it at all complicated 'fumbling for coins' - we get the toll out in advance, we know what the charges are, keep them I the 'toll coins' box with the few euros we might use on French tolls - and just hand them over.
The easiest method of the lot is apply for a dart tag as A its cheaper at I think 1.30 a crossing instead of the £2.00 (dont quote me exactly) and B you can still use the Dart Tag account when the new system goes in. Well at the moment you can but that may change but it will still be an account based pre pay rather than having to pay as you go. It puts the onus back on them not you.
So no keeping change or fumbling for it. We have been there, seat belt off, outstretched leg avoiding the gas pedal, trying to get in trouser pocket, or your more organised like Val and have it to hand. As there will be no pay booths all of that will become irrelevant.
A Dart tag (and believe you me I'm not one for handing money over to any lot) but its £10.00 free postage (or was) and the £10.00 remains a credit to use for crossings and as long as you use it once a year its doesn't expire and you can send it back for a full credit refund at any time, Ok that will cost 2.60 post
So say you go on holiday on the 6 of August and return on the 25th as you will be going again the next year you will automatically likely be going before the 25th and as such it wont expire.
I suspect the truth is they will look forward to a rake of 35.00 or 70.00 fines than a few £2.00 so save all the hassle of having to pay the 2.00 by some unknown method if at least you have the tag its their problem if it does not work.
I have just had my February statement by email and my credit is still there, last crossing was 26th August but we travel down this year on the 3rd...I have had the tag 6 years now and only spent 2 crossings a year (4 one year) its been topped up by a £20.00. At the risk of me losing the edge the tag lane or HGVs is usually faster as well far faster... if you travel at night none of this applies I believe but I suspect they will introduce a reduced rate for night.
Incidentally you dont have to fit it to your car just a wrist strap so you dont drop it and hold it up when passing. Keep in glove box
I also have the benefit of knowing which lanes to go for though again this may become irrelevant though I think they will mount overhead sensors to pick up tags that will disable the ANPR my main point is that its their 'to do' not mine and not mine to worry if I have paid them.
Cars with a DART-Tag can use all lanes. Twin-axle and multi-axle vehicles with a DART-tag need to use the wider staffed lanes (1–9 northbound and 15–23 southbound).
Post last edited on 04/02/2014 10:19:12
------------- Mark
Uttoxeter (Race days)
Le Serignan Plage (clothed one) August and Scheveningen on way back
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: TAGs for France may get easier
