Purely for Info - Dartford/Thurrock River Crossing - UK

[Dalartokat]

Just for information for any of you that may come back to UK for Xmas and need to use the Dartford/Thurrock River Crossing. Wouldn't want any of you getting caught out at the crossing.


http://www.gov.uk/highways/dartford

There are changes to the way you will now pay the charges to use the crossing, which is now called called Dart Charge. Prior to October 14th you could pay at barriers or throw your money in the bucket. Now you can no longer do this. You have to pay either by:

online, by text, selected retail outlets or by phone. You can pay in advance of your journey or by midnight the following day. Drivers who don't pay will face a penalty, it will be free if you travel between 10pm and 6.00am. There will be changes to the road layout

[davedee]

Still old method until at least end November ,came through on 18th November,

[Dalartokat]

Davedee, the information is changing all the time. I got mine from a local Community Ad, but the link says different. That is how it keeps going with this crossing. It gives people a head start to think about their journey, which was why I said it was for info only.

[Panchocat]

Just back from the UK tonight, used the Dartford tunnel last night. Dart Charge comes into effect on November 30th the cost also rises to £2:50

[kaiserphil]

How will they deal with foreign cars, for instance my German registration?

Think I will go round the other way.

[Lottidotti]

And they say it's grim up north!

[Snoopy]

Thank you very much for the info. I think you are right kaiserphil, I'll go round the other way too!

[carolhm]

Its a pain , we are staying in Dartford now and travel to Stansted on the 29th . Getting different stories about it being shut .

[Dalartokat]

Carolhm..... if you click on the link then onto Roadworks it gives you all up to date info, obviously you will need to keep looking as it gets nearer for you. I'm sure everyone that it will affect on here will let everyone know what their experiences are.

[Hedge-fund]

Thanks for the heads up, I've just registered all the cars in the family.

Note you lose any credit balance if you don't use the crossing for a 12 month period.

[Dalartokat]

That's good, at least you have peace of mind. Mind you, not having much hope that it will be plain sailing over the Xmas period if people don't know about it.

[Catlover]

Pure chance I saw your posting, thanks for the info.
I am going to the UK in April 2015 and would have used the crossing in a hire car. Would have been in a real pickle if I hadn't seen this as I would not have been able to pay by the deadline on the day. Think I will do as the others and go the other way around.
What a stupid idea, it will be terrible for anyone who hasn't been warned!!

[Keithcaley]

I wouldn't have thought that it was such a cause for concern, as you can pay by midnight on the following day