EIGHT out of ten drivers who have appealed fines at the Dartford Crossing have had their tickets torn up.

In the first six months since toll barriers were removed, 81 per cent of drivers who appealed penalty notices were successful.

The figures, revealed in an investigation by motoring magazine Auto Express, have led to criticism of the automatic number plate detection cameras at the crossing.

More than 25 million drivers have used the Thames crossing during the 6am to 10pm chargeable period since the new system came into force in December.

Of those drivers, nearly one million motorists have been landed with fines for failing to pay the Dart Charge on time.

Despite the high appeal success rate, only four per cent of those fined have lodged appeals.

Highways England has accepted 30,521 of the 37,751 appeals lodged since December.

Auto Express believes the high appeal success rate is partly due to the number plate recognition system misreading letters and numbers, leading to the wrong drivers being sent charges.

But the system has been defended by road chiefs.

A spokesman for Highways England said: “Representations are accepted for a variety of compelling reasons and each is considered on an individual basis.

“The amount of penalty charge notices successfully appealed makes up only 0.1 per cent of total chargeable crossings.”

Under the new Dart Charge system, drivers have until midnight on the day after their journey to pay the toll online, by phone or at participating shops.

Drivers who do not pay are fined £70, which is halved if paid within 14 days.

But Highways England has been sending warning letters to first-time offenders, who make up about 40 per cent of the total.

Earlier this month, an AA survey revealed 60 per cent of UK drivers were confused by signage at the Dartford Crossing.

Red ‘C’ signs at the crossing are being mistaken for the symbol for London’s congestion charge, leaving many drivers unaware of the toll scheme.