THE leader of Thurrock Council says it is “simply unacceptable” that cash from toll hikes at the Dartford Crossing will not be ring-fenced to pay for improvements at the site.

Reacting to the confirmation from Road Minister Mike Penning that the Government has “no intention” to ring-fence the extra cash generated from planned charge increase, Mr Kent said: “There appears to be a lot of back-tracking from ministers on this, there is no way the tolls should be increased, and to now learn that ministers intend to use the extra revenue created for general improvements around the country is simply unacceptable.”

He added:“Anybody who lives in Thurrock knows of the hassle created by the terrible congestion around the crossing and junction 30 to 31 of the M25.

“This extra revenue should be used to increase capacity at the crossing, not as a slush fund for ministers’ pet projects elsewhere.”

Mr Kent also revealed that the local discount scheme for residents in Thurrock and Dartford brought in by Labour, which allows residents to cross for 20p, is now under threat.

He said: “Correspondence with the minister has shown the current Thurrock residents’ discount is in danger, I have a letter from the Government which says they are consulting on the future of it, this, again, is simply unacceptable.

“The discount is an aknowledgement of the hassle residents experience by having the crossing on their doorstep, and the problems it causes.”

The Government plans to increase tolls at the crossing, which is used by around 150,000 vehicles a day, from £1.50 to £2 in 2011, and up to £2.50 in 2012.

It was previously thought that this cash would be ring-fenced to improve congestion at the crossing, and to fund a new crossing in the future.

Responding to a question about the ring-fencing from Labour back bencher John Woodcock last week, Tory MP Mike Penning said: “Income from road user charges at the Dartford Crossing are already ring-fenced for investment in transport, including improvements to the crossing. We have no intention to further ring-fence such income.

“We have made clear that investment at Dartford is an absolute priority, and increasing the charges as proposed, allows for future investment at the crossing, including the implementation of free-flow charging technology, and to help fund proposals for a new, additional crossing.”