Got news? Tell us!
Get involved: send your pictures, video, news and views by texting TGNEWS to 80360 or you can email us Click here for details »
We won't let Dartford crossing toll pledge go
10:38am Thursday 10th January 2008
Comments (8)A RECENT letter to Thurrock Council has left me with a deep concern that the Government may be planning to renege on their promise to provide a toll discount for residents of Thurrock once the planned increase in prices commence in April 2008.
Instead, there is a proposal to pay to the Council a periodic amount of money until they can find a way to fulfil their promise. I do not think Thurrock tax payers will be hoodwinked by the government indirect backing out of the "promise" made to the residents of Thurrock.
In April 2007, suspiciously close to the local elections, the then transport Minister Dr Ladyman made a promise of discounts to residents. Dr Ladyman said: "The Dartford Crossing has brought huge benefits over the years.
"But surrounding communities have borne the brunt of the added fumes and jams. We have registered the strong demand for local discounts expressed through the consultation and we accept in principle that there is a case for this, alongside the implementation of the other proposals in the consultation paper."
I am still adamant that we continue to hold the government to their promise and press for the promised discounts which will result in residents enjoying the direct benefit of the discounts. I have placed this on the agenda at every opportunity whenever I have met with the Department for Transport.
Although the proposed extra funding is a step in the right direction, but we must continue to press for the discount.
For Mr Public out there, especially those who use the crossing on a daily basis, the increase in fares will drastically have a direct impact on the overheads of their business. Residents were meant to be compensated by a reduction in the charge, just as residents of London receive a discount from the congestion charge.
If it means lobbying alongside Dartford Council to make it happen, then let's go for it. I think we should pursue every opportunity to drive the message home, otherwise one day we will just note that the extra funding runs to an end and then we will all be compelled to pay the hiked charge at the tolls.
Councillor Tunde Ojetola, Thurrock Council portfolio holder for transport.
Your Say YourThurrock Gazette
Thurrock Voice of Reason, Grays says...
2:39pm Thu 10 Jan 08
1. Labour started to spout this piped dream just before the last election. A penny to a pinch of poo they will come up with a similar vote buyer next time. Ironic that the two councils who would have benefited remained in Tory control after the last election then this scheme became to difficult to implement!!!
2. By introduing the quite obvious answer of ??? on how to deal with the problem (no disrepect intended there)they can't set up a quango to thrash it about for years or get an outside company who are big doners to run it (Crapita for example)
3. By holding out until about March or April this year they will give the Thurrock Labour Party something they can use in their literature that isnt a lie (like adult social care increases, amount spent on outsourcing etc)
4. You can be sure that the amount of 'extra money' they will 'give' to Thurrock and Dartford will be minimal and a lot less than the amount it would cost to put this scheme in place
5. The money 'given' to both councils will be ringfenced to be spent on stupid schemes like bird watching huts or viewing points to see the traffic crawling across the bridge.
I know this is a bit negative but you know deep down it is true. My sister lives in Dartford and their councillors are always slamming into government inaction on this so why is never reporte in the Gazette? MMMMM.... I wonder!
???, Purfleet says...
3:32pm Thu 10 Jan 08
I wonder Mr. Speight if you'd be so kind as to remind the good people of thurrock of the press release? I've no political axe to grind, I just think that the press release gives the impression that the discount was "in the bag"
4 April 2007
PENCE NOT POUNDS TO USE DARTFORD CROSSING - MP'S CLAIM VICTORY AS HUGE TOLL DISCOUNT ANNOUNCED
The Government have announced the new proposals for toll charges at the Dartford crossing, promising a near 90% discount for Thurrock residents.
Minister of State for Transport, Steve Ladyman made the announcement at the bridge on Monday (2 April 2007) accompanied by Thurrock MP's Andrew Mackinlay and Angela Smith.
Announcing that as from the January 1, 2008 the tolls will to £1.50 cash at peak time, remaining at £1 for those using the Dart TAG system with a free period at night-time, Mr Ladyman said:- " I will do my best to get as close as possible to the figure of 90% discount for local residents."
he added: "There was a tremendous input from local people. This goes to show that the government has listened to the views of local people. This is a victory for common sense."
Thurrock MP Andrew Mackinlay said:- "The response from local people to our campaign is fantastic as a result they will be paying pence not pounds to use the crossing from next year.
"This is a win, win for the people of Thurrock and is particularly sweet because Tory run Thurrock, Dartford and Essex County Councils and local Tory Councillors didn't want local people to have a discount at all."
East Thurrock MP, Angela Smith added: -"To get near to a 90% discount is unprecedented. Its great news for local people, especially those who have no option but to use the crossing every day to get to work".
Thurrock Voice of Reason, Grays says...
5:41pm Thu 10 Jan 08
old100, chafford says...
4:18pm Wed 16 Jan 08
???, Purfleet says...
12:13pm Thu 17 Jan 08
Martyn, Chafford says...
12:15pm Thu 17 Jan 08
Have you been living in an old chalk opit for the past 4 years?
The buses are a private business. They have to pay for the hikes in fuel bills, higher taxes, higher wages, higher insurance premiums by passing onto the costs to the passengers.
If prices had remained the same as they were 4 years ago then prices would remain the same.
Thurrock Council has no control over how much the bus company charge passengers.
And anyway as a pensioner you get a free bus pass for free bus travel subsidises by the likes of me you old codger
George, Chadwell SM says...
8:30am Fri 25 Jan 08
In this section
- Thanks for the memories
- Why pay at both ends of the Dartford Crossing?
- Why don't council empty our bins during holidays?
- Well done Councillor Hipsey
- Councillor must step down
- Why do we have to pay for park?
- Mast fight a waste of time
- Shock as Hipsey changes allegiance
- Tidy up the borough
- Yellow lines a waste of money
Sponsored Links
Local Advertisers
Local Information
Enter your postcode, town or place name
???, Purfleet says...
1:00pm Thu 10 Jan 08
I'm gald you're pursuing this on our behalf and would encourage you to be even more forceful. Might I suggest that those residents in Thurrock (like myself) who wish to benefit from the discount - on a bridge that we paid for long ago anyway - should be able to present themselves to crossing control (or a sub-office which could be set up in the Civic Offices) with a copy of our council tax bill, V5 registration document, Insurance and MOT certificate - thereupon we should each be issued with a specially programmed dart-tag which (when topped up) only deducts the discounted amount when we use the crossing. This functionality already exists as they charge different amounts for different types of vehicle. It's not right that the council receive any extra funding (it's not a step in the right direction at all) as the council don't pay to use the crossing - WE DO! AS April isn't too far away, I hope you can keep us all updated. At the very very least, the crossing operators/DoT should be prevented from increasing the toll charges until they have the requisite systems in place to offer the promised discounts.