Dartford Crossing Debate

This week Hornchurch and Rainham MP James Brokenshire will call on the Department for Transport to speed up its review of the Dartford River Crossing - including options to scrap the tolls - notwithstanding a recent announcement that the crossing could be sold off. The MP has secured a Parliamentary debate on Wednesday afternoon (28 October) to highlight continuing congestion at the Crossing and the impact that increased toll charges have had on hold-ups for motorists.

In a letter to James Brokenshire earlier this month, Transport Minister Sadiq Khan said that his Department was prepared to consider scrapping tolls on the QE2 Bridge into Kent as part of ‘better use' options for the Crossing. But concerns have been raised about this commitment following an announcement by the Treasury that the Dartford Crossing was a on a list of Government assets which were up for sale.

Commenting James said:

"Anyone who uses the Dartford Crossing on a regular basis will appreciate the sheer frustrations of being stuck in miles of jams. The Department for Transport needs to get on with its review of the need for additional road capacity across the Thames and in particular the better use of the existing crossing.

"The current tolling arrangements are adding to the delays and congestion and motorists shouldn't be seen as a soft target. That's why Ministers need to give an assurance of their commitment to measures that will help beat the queues - such as scrapping the tolls into Kent - rather than simply viewing the crossing as a cash cow for the Treasury."

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