THERE are plans to provide an additional Thames crossing to relieve extreme pressure at the existing Dartford facility.

This is an excellent project that will also ensure that London is kept clear.

One thing that must be done is for the Government to fund this completely and the new crossing be part of the general road system under Highways England - and be toll free.

If the Government feels that it cannot fund the project then it should be scrapped.

The existing Dartford Bridge was completely paid for in 2014 by money collected by attendants as you crossed and with the advent of number plate recognition the Government decided that instead of just incorporating the facility within the road network, they could continue to charge without interfering with the flow of traffic and gave the contract to Dart Charge.

Because of the stealth the new technology allows this has resulted in what can only be described as legal extortion.

Millions of people have had to pay exorbitant amounts of money in default charges for simply using the facility without following payment procedures.

The Department of Transport has been a party to this and is printed large on all notices sent out.

This should never happen again if the new tunnel is built.

Toll charges generally are a disgrace and the Government should fund all costs out of general taxation or borrowing and not allow the factions that capitalise on the users’ naivety.

D R SEEGER

Creeksea Ferry Road,

Canewdon