Dartford crossing plan leads to toll worries

Fears have been raised that Government plans to sell-off the Dartford Crossing to the private sector will result in a higher toll charge.

Originally promised to be scrapped early in this decade once the bridge had been paid for, the Government changed its legislation to allow the fee to remain in place, and raised the price of the crossing last year. The northbound tunnel and southbound QE2 bridge are now part of a package of assets the Government is planning to sell to ease its financial concerns.

But local councillors and motoring groups are worried that private enterprise would seek to make a quick return by hiking the cost of the crossing, for which there is little alternative without lengthy diversion.

However, the Government has pledged to “regulate” new owners, should the sale go through, to avoid massive rises.

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