THE Essex Federation of Small Businesses is demanding that the Government imposes a strict limit on tolls if it sells the Dartford Crossing.

The FSB believes the Government should have axed the tolls by now, and is concerned that whoever buys the crossing will raise tolls higher than they are now.

FSB Chairman, Iain Wicks, said: “Essex FSB policy is clear – we want the Government to honour its promise that when the QE II Bridge was paid for tolls would be axed. That promise has been broken by the Government and we have seen tolls steadily increase until now motorists generate £43 million profit a year for the Government by simply crossing the River Thames at Dartford.

“If the sell off does happen then Essex FSB believes it is vital that the sale contract includes strict controls on the level of tolls that can be applied.

“What we want to see is this tax on businesses working on the other side of the Thames to be axed completely in accordance with the Government's original promise and certainly would not want to see the new owners given carte blanche to raise tolls even higher than the current levels.”

The FSB is also pushing for the toll booths to be removed and a system put in place to allow drivers to pay online and by phone to ease delays and help traffic flow more freely in both directions.

Meanwhile, Conservative councillor for Little Thurrock, Robert Gledhill, has revealed that the Government’s discount for Thurrock residents using the toll has actually cost the borough money, due to the loss of a grant for Highways and Transport.

He said: “Up until last year Thurrock received £1million of funding from the Dartford Tunnel.

“Using the figures from the Highways Agency, the benefit received by residents using the discounted Dart tag comes to around £531,000, giving a net loss to Thurrock of £469,000 per year.”

He added: “I certainly don't begrudge anyone who takes advantage of the discounted journeys, but Thurrock residents as a whole are losing out here.

“This money would fully pay for the Tilbury Ferry and help support any number of bus routes in Thurrock, bus routes which are sorely needed by those who do not use cars.”