Update on the new payment system for the Dartford Crossing on the M25

Brian Moyse highlights an online update on the new charging system at the Dartford Crossing which is due to go live at 6.00am on Sunday 30th November 2014. Online update

Note the crossing charge and the penalty charges will apply to both UK and overseas drivers.

In August 2014 Brian Moyse has sent in a news item saying "somewhat South and East biased, but equally of interest to our continental friends and anyone coming from the north or east of the UK and heading clockwise around the M25 for Eurotunnel or the Channel Ports and vice versa. The new charging system will mean the charge is no longer collected at toll booths at the crossing and will be based on something similar to that used for the Central London congestion charge." See the earlier NEWS item

Dartford Crossing charges. More

Getting a Dart Tag. More

Automobile Association article. More

Posted: 141110

Dart Charge launches on 30th November 2014
The new remote payment at the Dartford Crossing over the Thames to the east of London known as the Dart Charge begins on on Sunday 30th November 2014. You will no longer pay for the Dartford Crossing at the barriers. This will help reduce congestion at the crossing. It will still be free to use the crossing between 10pm and 6am. The last cash payment will be taken at the crossing at around 10pm on Saturday 29th November. The Dart Charge will begin at 6am on 30 November. You should continue to pay at the barrier or use your existing account until 30 November 2014.

Brian Moyse highlights an online update on the new charging system at the Dartford Crossing. He says "the update gives the details and provides links to the methods of payment and to a registration system for setting up a
prepayment account. I have recently set up a prepayment account and it is a straightforward process, the minimum prepayment balance is £10.00 (by credit/debit card). You can arrange for auto-top up of an account as your balance decreases in use, by providing bank account details/direct debit instructions. I decided to stick with credit card top-ups until I can be sure the new system is working properly! Prepayment account holders get a reduced one-way crossing charge for a car of £1.67, the full rate (applicable from 30th November 2014) will be £2.50 each way, so a 33% discount."

Dart Charge changes
If you are travelling on the M25 and using the Dartford Crossing over the River Thames to the east of London, then you need to know that from the end of November 2014 there are changes being introduced to the way you pay the crossing charge. You will no longer pay at the barriers; instead you’ll be able to pay in advance, or before midnight the day after crossing. Drivers who don’t pay will face a penalty charge - the charges will apply to both UK and overseas drivers. The new scheme is known as Dart Charge and will help to reduce congestion at the crossing. It will still be free to use the crossing between 10pm and 6am.

Dart Charge
A new payment system called Dart Charge is being introduced which means that drivers will no longer stop to pay at the barriers but instead they will be able to pay in advance or by midnight the day after their journey. As motorists make a crossing, number plate reading cameras (automatic number plate readers or APNR), lasers and DART tag readers will identify their vehicle to see how much they need to pay. The system then takes the money from their account or waits to receive payment from them. If they do not pay in time they will receive a penalty charge notice. This will apply to both UK and foreign vehicles. It will still be free to use the Dartford Crossing between 10pm and 6am and discounts for local residents will remain. A Dart Charge account offers a discount of up to a third and means drivers don’t need to remember to pay, as it can be automatically topped up.

How to pay the Dart Charge
The cheapest way to pay is using a pre pay account. This saves you up to a third on each crossing. Local residents will need a prepay account to access the local residents’ discount scheme. You can top up your prepay account manually or set up automatic top-ups. You can register more than one vehicle to your account. Alternatively once Dart Charge is in place you will be able to make one-off payments in advance or by midnight the day after crossing using these options:
> online at www.gov.uk/dart-charge
> over the phone by calling: 0300 300 0120
> via a payzone retail outlet
> by post (in advance only): Dart Charge Customer Services PO Box 842 Leeds LS1 9QF

Why is this change being introduced?
The Highways Agency says “these changes are part of a major road improvement to reduce congestion at the Dartford Crossing. These changes will improve traffic flow, reduce journey times, and bring about significant benefits to motorists, both locally and from much further afield. It’s one of the country’s most congested parts of the road network, and we’re serious about tackling the problem.”
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