Freight News, Road

Foreign drivers dodge Dart tolls

[ September 9, 2016   //   Chris ]

The Freight Transport Association’s head of policy for London and the South East Natalie Chapman is calling for foreign drivers who don’t pay the Dart Charge to be pursued as actively as those in the UK. Her comments came after a Freedom of Information request by BBC Radio Kent revealed that almost a quarter of foreign registered vehicles are failing to pay the charge for using the bridge and tunnel across the Thames.
Figures show only 77.1% of foreign drivers pay first time. Barriers at the crossing were removed in November 2014 and the electronic Dart Charge system replaced pay booths. She said: “Removing the tolls has reduced congestion, which can only be good for traffic flow and the environment.
“But all vehicles, wherever they are based, should be paying the charge and should be pursued for non-payment. Otherwise, what starts off as a relatively small problem of non-compliance can quickly grow to a big problem and that creates an uneven playing field for UK operators.”
FTA want the government to press ahead with plans for a new Lower Thames Crossing to ensure freight traffic is kept moving.

Tags: Freight Transport Assocation