CONFUSED drivers think signs for the Dartford Crossing tolls refer to the London Congestion Charge, according to the AA.

The motoring organisation believes use of a red ‘C’ at the crossing is too similar to that used in the the capital.

An AA survey has found almost three in five drivers who encounter the sign on the M25 do not understand its meaning.

A poll carried out by the group in May also found 52 per cent of respondents nationwide were unaware of the Dartford charging scheme.

This lack of awareness may help to explain why the failure-to-pay rate since toll booths were removed in November is 50 per cent worse than predicted, the AA believes. The group has also called for more Payzone points, to allow drivers to pay the toll, to be set up at motorway service stations, ports and the Eurotunnel.

The red ‘C’ sign is not an officially recognised symbol for toll roads, according to an official Department for Transport guide.

In response to points made by the AA, Highways England Dart Charge project director Nigel Gray said:

“The Highway Code is clear that the red ‘C’ symbol means that you are entering a congestion charging zone. Dart Charge is successfully speeding up journeys at the Dartford Crossing, and the vast majority of drivers are paying for their crossings correctly.

“We continue to work hard to help drivers understand the changes we have made at the Dartford Crossing, which have already significantly improved journeys at this vital transport gateway.”

Drivers are now required to pay the Dartford charge by midnight the day after their journey at the latest and payments can be made online, by phone or in cash at shops with Payzone points.

Dartford charge:

The charge to use the Dartford Crossing was a toll under the Labour government.

A government report to see if the costs of building the crossing had been paid off was commissioned in 1999. Due to rising traffic levels, the toll was agreed to be kept in place until 2003.

The same report concluded that a congestion charge should be introduced to use the crossing.

The Conservative administration introduced a congestion charge to use the crossing - known as the Dartford Charge, shown by a red 'C' sign in 2008.

The report, which is available at the link below, further states: "The recent changes to the charging regime, introduced on 15 November 2008, will ensure that it is better targeted at tackling congestion." 

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