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Crossing gets off-peak toll
Page 10
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• The Freight Transport Association has welcomed plans for a now £1 off-peak toll to be introduced at the DartfordThurrock Crossing.
From 1 April, French consortium Le Crossing will take over the operation of the route over the Thames and introduce a new charging scheme. The day rate for goods vehicles between Ham to lOpm will remain £1.80. However, between lOpm-Ham there will be a flat rate of £1 for all vehicles including trucks.
All proceeds from the charge, over and above operation and maintenance costs, will be spent on transport schemes, says the company.
Louisa Beliee, spokeswoman at the Freight Transport Association, says: "This is fantastic news. It will provide ease of movement and reduce casts for trucks travelling overnight. It will not only be hauliers in Kent and Essex who will benefit, but operators nationwide, as this is such a key route."
Arthur Norton, Highways Agency service manager, says that the crossing is an important link which carries around 145,000 vehicles daily. The new charging scheme will encourage greater use of the crossing at off-peak times.
Frank Driskel from local Dartford-based haulier ED Transport adds: "It's certainly a good idea. While most of our work is during the day we will still benefit sometimes."