THE Freight Transport Association has branded the double toll increase at the Dartford Crossing “unacceptable”.

The Gazette reported last week the Department for Transport is planning to increase charges in October, then again in October 2014, when electronic charging is introduced.

The FTA, one of the country’s largest trade associations, is particularly upset Dart-Tag users will not escape the price hikes.

HGV drivers who currently get a 50p discount with a Dart-Tag will see the charge increase from £3.20 to £4.33 come October, and up to £5.19 when electronic charging comes in.

Malcolm Bingham, the FTA’s head of road network management, said: “We are disappointed, as we feel the Government has not taken any notice of us at all. “We had asked them to peg the Dart-Tag fee. Any toll increase is damaging to our members.”

Mr Bingham said the FTA is in favour of the free-flow tolling being introduced on the crossing. It believes the current charging plazas cause the majority of the congestion at the crossing, and it costs an estimated £1 per minute, per HGV, to queue and pay.

The South East Local Enterprise Partnership, which brings together leaders from business, local government and further education, is calling for free flow tolling to be introduced before October 2014.

Chairman John Spence said: “Unblocking the Dartford Crossing is critical to the health of businesses in our area, let alone our mission to create the most enterprising economy in England.

“We will continue to press for earlier delivery of free flow tolling.”