SO, the toll booths on the Dartford Crossing are going at last. They will not be mourned.
Now, those who believe they were responsible for much of the painful congestion at the M25 pinch-point will have the chance to see if they were right.
Surely, the demise of the booths can’t possibly make things worse – can it?
Unfortunately, while the booths are going, the tolls are not. In fact, the charges are going up.
We paid for the crossing years ago, but now the fees are regarded as a congestion charge to discourage drivers.
Really? Would anybody choose to use the crossing if they didn’t really have to, just because it was free?
If we have got to pay, at least let’s make sure all the foreign drivers who use the bridge or tunnels also have to pay for the privilege.
It would be galling if they escape the system, so let’s have some assurances on that score.
In the meantime, spare a thought for the booth toll collectors, now out of work.
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