ArtistsRifles Posted November 12, 2006 Share Posted November 12, 2006 Got this from a friend tonight: Does anyone remember that the Government of the time said it would be free to cross the river at Dartford once the crossing was paid for? I do. However, that promise has been very conveniently binned. The Government are now proposing to increase the charges to reduce congestion - What complete and utter rubbish ! Where else can people cross ? Oh yes, the Blackwall Tunnel, of course that doesn't suffer from congestion does it!!! Click here http://www.kentonline.co.uk/petition/ to sign the Petition against the price hike in toll charges. As the Dartford crossing is the only really viable place to cross the Thames en-route to Beltring and points South for us and for the M25 traffic in general I think it's time the promise made by the Gov't years ago to remove the fees once construction costs had been recouped should be put in place!!! How say you all????? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marmite!! Posted November 12, 2006 Share Posted November 12, 2006 The tunnels & crossing is now run by a firm called Le Crossing, that's right the French have got hold of our roads.. Le Crossing Ltd has been created as a vehicle for combining the complementary expertise of Jacobs, Ringway and Cofiroute with the skills and experience of the UK's Dartford Crossing workforce. Le Crossing is formed by the coming together of Ringway Jacobs Ltd, the road operating company formed from two of the leading service providers in the UK Local Government highways sector, and Cofiroute, the French toll roads company, to operate and maintain the Dartford River Crossing. The contract to collect the tolls, operate and maintain the twin Dartford Tunnels, the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge and the approach roads linking the M25 across the River Thames, was awarded to Le Crossing by the Highways Agency and is worth up to £75m. Dartford River Crossing In April 1987 Dartford River Crossing Ltd (DRC) signed a concession agreement to take over the operation of two Dartford Tunnels (including taking on debts accrued by Kent and Essex County Councils in the construction of the tunnels) and to build a new bridge (the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge). The term of the concession agreement was to last 20 years or until all debts had been repaid, whichever was the earliest. The legislation and the concession agreement allowed for DRC to charge tolls to refund the DRC's aggregate costs in building the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge and operating and maintaining the bridge and the two tunnels. At the end of the concession the Crossing would transfer back to the Secretary of State for Transport. The debt was repaid within 14 years and the Crossing was formally transferred back to the Secretary of State on 1 April 2002. Since that date and until 31 March 2003, DRC operated the Crossing as managing agents of the Secretary of State. On 1 April 2003 new managing agents, Le Crossing Company Ltd, were appointed after a competitive tender exercise. With the discharging of debt, the powers to charge a toll at the Crossing expired on 31 March 2003. However, prior to the expiry of these powers, the Government commissioned consultants to investigate the effect that removing charging at the crossing would have on traffic levels. This research, published in August 2001, suggested that use of the Crossing would grow more rapidly if there were no charge to use the Crossing, which could have an adverse impact on the local community and users of the Crossing. The increased use at the Crossing could result in longer journey times and discomfort for users while also possibly adding to air pollution. These factors could have a detrimental effect on health, the economy and the environment. As such, in summer 2001 the Highways Agency carried out a public consultation on the proposal to introduce a charging scheme under the Transport Act 2000 (the 2000 Act) at the Dartford Crossing. The consultation included seeking views on the proposed charging structure. Following this consultation it was decided to implement the charging scheme. The charging scheme came into force on 1 April 2003. The 2000 Act requires that the net income generated by the charging scheme be spent on transport policies for a minimum of 10 years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArtistsRifles Posted November 12, 2006 Author Share Posted November 12, 2006 Thanks Lee - makes for interesting - if depressingly familiar - reading!!! Might have known Phony Tony & his Cronies would have found a way of stuffing the motoring public again........ :-( :-( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian2b Posted November 13, 2006 Share Posted November 13, 2006 I think if they are gonna carry on charging they should build another bridge save using those tunnels. Maybe use the money and put a bridge up further down the thames near stanford le hope, would make it easier for getting to war & peace. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snapper Posted November 13, 2006 Share Posted November 13, 2006 The dream of such a bridge has never gone away. Wait and see how the house building explosion develops in the Thames Gateway. Even if they say yes to a bridge tomorrow, buy the time we've had three public enquiries, four changes of government, Southend have won the Premier League and Wagon Wheels have reverted to their original size, the thing won't get built til 2030. By which time I'll be visiting Beltring in a cryogenic picnic box and the statue of Rex Cadman on the roundabout will be a long loved feature. Meantime fork out the dosh at Dartford. They never "see" accidents there either. So watch it when Hungarian couriers reverse into you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArtistsRifles Posted November 13, 2006 Author Share Posted November 13, 2006 Could you imagiune the "fun and games if the dartford crossing were to be boycotted and all that traffic either hit the M25 heading west around Heathrow way or tried to get through the Blackwall Tunnel - outside of congestion charging hours of course!! I suspect the word "gridlock" woudln't even come close to describing the resulting chaos! :-o :-) :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snapper Posted November 14, 2006 Share Posted November 14, 2006 he he he Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richardrosser Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 do i smell a cunning plan..... :evil: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArtistsRifles Posted February 12, 2007 Author Share Posted February 12, 2007 Now didn't I hear on the news the other day they wanted to introduce a £2 toll charge for going through the Blackwall Tunnel too?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poptopshed Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 Another good reason for owning a swimming Stolly. :-D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 Another good reason for owning a swimming Stolly. :-D YES we must find someone we know who has one...........................now where was it :whistle: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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