The Dartford Crossing, a vital artery connecting Essex and Kent over the River Thames, has generated a record £189.2 million in toll revenue for the government in 2025, an increase of £50 million from the previous year. This surge in revenue follows a significant 40% hike in tolls implemented by the Labour government.
Motorists have expressed outrage, with the AA president, Edmund King, calling the situation an 'outrage' and highlighting that tolls on other crossings, such as the M4 and M48 to Wales, were abolished in 2018, and Scottish tolls were removed in 2008. The Dartford tolls, initially intended to fund the construction of the tunnel and Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, have remained in place long after the infrastructure was paid off, a promise made by Conservative governments in the 1980s and 1990s.
In September 2025, the cost for car drivers increased from £2.50 to £3.50. Fees for larger vehicles also saw an increase, with buses, coaches, and HGVs now paying £8.20, and smaller buses, coaches, and vans paying £4.20. While pre-pay account holders and local residents benefit from a 20% discount, the general increase has significantly boosted government coffers.
The Department for Transport (DfT) justified the price increase by stating that the new charges would have been considerably higher if they had kept pace with inflation since 2014. Lilian Greenwood, former parliamentary under-secretary of state for transport, explained that demand at the crossing has grown by 7.5% since 2014, with an average of over 150,000 vehicles using it daily. This volume, she argued, exceeds the crossing's design capacity, leading to delays and congestion on the M25, impacting local communities. The DfT maintained that current charging levels were insufficient to manage demand effectively.
Critics, however, argue that the tolls have become a permanent revenue stream, with drivers having few alternatives for crossing the Thames at Dartford. They contend that motorists have paid for the crossing multiple times over and that the stated aim of reducing congestion is not a valid justification when drivers have no other choice.
Further adding to the financial burden on drivers, motorists have lost over £3.6 million in unused Dart Charge payments in the last two years. In the 2023-24 financial year, £1,812,379 in pre-paid deposits went unused, followed by £1,790,559 in the subsequent year. National Highways noted that these pre-paid amounts are valid for 12 months, after which they expire if not used. The DfT absorbs these expired payments, as they are not typically refunded. The government maintains that all revenue from the Dart Charge is reinvested in transport projects, including support for the Lower Thames Crossing, and is used to keep the crossing operational and safe.
IMAGE5
IMAGE6
