Essex Federation for Small Businesses ask MPs to tackle Dartford toll congestion

Ian Wicks, chairman for the federation told the Gazette: “It seems that no Government can keep the promises it makes on the Dartford Crossing but we are hoping that the members of parliament will be willing to make a resolution they will then keep.

“The last Government promised the tolls would be scrapped once the QE2 bridge had been paid for and then decided they needed the tolls revenue more; now we see Roads Minister Mike Penning saying in November that the revenue from the tolls increase would be spent one asking congestion and then announce in December that the money will go into a national pool as the Dartford Crossing is national infrastructure.

“So this is a chance for our MPs in south Essex to make a promise to the businesses and residents they serve and then keep it.

“We understand that it will cost around £10 million to remove the toll booths and replace them with technology to allow people to pay the tolls electronically as happens with the London Congestion Charge.

“As the tolls make some £47 million profit each year that shouldn’t be a difficult amount to find so we hope we want to see this work commence early in 2011 so that the congestion which causes such delays for motorists and costs businesses an estimated £21 million a year can be removed.”

Jackie Doyle-Price, MP for Thurrock added: “I have made it very clear to Ministers that I believe that motorists in Thurrock and South Essex should be first in the queue to benefit from funds made available from the tolls for transport improvements.

“It is frankly unacceptable that the Thurrock road network is often gridlocked due to problems arising from the M25 and the Dartford crossing.

“National infrastructure it may be, but the impact is felt locally here in Thurrock. I have told Ministers that removal of the toll booths and improvements at Junction 30 represent the most immediate need.”