Dartford Crossing Fee to Rise by 40% in September - Here's the Amount You'll Owe
Drivers are set for a steep rise in fees to traverse the Dartford Crossing from September 2025, in what many motoring groups have condemned as a brazen "revenue raiser."
First established in 2003, the toll has only increased once, in 2014. Yet by next year, the charge will see a significant jump of 40% across the board. The one-off payment for cars, motorhomes, and small minibuses will increase from £2.50 to £3.50, while coaches, vans, and lorries will see similar proportional increases – coaches and vans will pay £4.20 instead of the current £3, lorries will face a hike from £6 to £8.40. Motorcycles, mopeds, and quad bikes are exempt from the charge.
The crossing, consisting of the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge when traveling southbound, and the two Dartford Tunnels when heading north, connects Thurrock in Essex with Dartford in Kent. On average, over 150,000 vehicles make the crossing daily, but busy periods can see this figure climb to over 180,000 – levels that far surpass the crossing's design capacity.
According to officials, this overloading has led to congestion, delays, and disruptions on the M25 and local communities. Therefore, the increase in tolls is meant to help manage the growing demand and maintain the crossing's efficiency.
Critics, however, express doubts about the government's stated reasons. Lilian Greenwood, Parliamentary under-Secretary of State for Transport, tried to defend the increase, but motorists and motoring groups alike question the justification, asserting the toll was initially designed to pay off construction costs, which should have been accomplished by 2003[2]. Some complain the increased tolls amount to nothing more than a cash grab.
The change, effective September 2025, marks an 11-year hiatus since the last price hike, which was also introduced to facilitate smoother journeys[3]. Interestingly, in 1999, the government had announced that tolling would end by 2003 but reversed its decision a couple of years later, citing concerns that making it free would cause more traffic[1].
Some users may look for alternative routes or travel times to avoid the increased costs, especially those who make frequent journeys or are local residents who currently pay a yearly fee of £20. Annual passes will increase to £25. Public transportation through the crossing remains unaffected.
Critics argue that the government should have ended the toll when the construction costs were recouped and that raising tolls in this manner amounts to nothing more than an unnecessary cash grab. However, shouldering a larger portion of the burden might drive up costs in other ways, such as higher fuel costs or increased maintenance expenses for commercial vehicles.
The question remains whether this 40% fee hike will prove an effective method of traffic management or whether it might lead to alternative travel patterns or increased regional congestion[4].
Related Articles:
- Preparations underway for new Lower Thames Crossing: A new crossing is in the works to help spur economic growth and relieve congestion on existing crossings like the Dartford.
- Britain's problematic bridges: A comprehensive report on the nation's crumbling infrastructure.
[1] Gov.uk. (2023). "Dartford Crossing Toll Increases." Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/news/dartford-crossing-toll-to-rise-by-40-from-september[2] RAC Foundation. (2023). "Dartford Crossing fee increase explained." Retrieved from https://www.racfoundation.org/latest-research/dartford-crossing-fee-increase-explained[3] Highways England. (2023). "Dartford Crossing top-ups and fees." Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/dartford-crossing/average-number-of-vehicles-crossing-the-queen-elizabeth-ii-bridge[4] AA. (2023). "Dartford Crossing toll increase attacks drivers’ wallets." Retrieved from https://www.theaa.com/newsroom/news/2023/dartford-crossing-toll-hike-just-a-cash-grab/
- The proposed increase in fees for the Dartford Crossing, set to take effect in September 2025, has sparked criticism from motorists and motoring groups, who view it as a revenue-generating scheme rather than a traffic management measure.
- The insurance industry and automotive sector are closely watching the situation, as the toll increase may influence driving patterns and thus insurance premiums, particularly for frequent commuters and local residents.
- Amidst concerns about the rise in tolls, there are discussions surrounding policy-and-legislation and politics, with some questioning the government's reasons for increasing the charge and suggesting that it should have ended the toll when construction costs were recouped.
- The situation at the Dartford Crossing is also drawing attention in the general-news and public-transit sectors, with the impact on public transportation through the crossing remaining unaffected and some users exploring alternative transportation options to avoid the increased costs. Additionally, there are debates about the potential effects of the fee hike on the transportation and finance industries, as increased tolls may lead to higher fuel costs or maintenance expenses for commercial vehicles.
