My honourable friend the Minister of State for Transport (Dr Stephen Ladyman) has made the following Ministerial Statement.
The Government are today launching a 12-week consultation on their proposals for changes to the charging regime at the Dartford-Thurrock river crossing. A draft charging order, consultation document and regulatory impact assessment have been drawn up and are available for inspection.
The department has been reviewing the charging regime in the light of current traffic levels, likely future demand and broader transport policy considerations. The proposed charging regime sets charges for cash payment and discounts for those who pay by an electronic “dart-tag” and pre-pay account.
Day charges (6 am to 10 pm) Night charges (10 pm to 6 am) Day charges (6 am to 10 pm) Night charges (10 pm to 6 am) Cars £1.50 Free £1.00 Free Two-axle Goods £2.00 Free £1.75 Free Multi-axle Goods £4.00 Free £3.20 Free
The Government are also seeking comments on suggestions from local Members of Parliament that discounts be made available for local residents and comments on proposals for reinvestment of the revenue collected through the charging scheme.
The draft charging order authorises the exemption from the charging regime of certain motor vehicles as set out in Schedule 4 to the draft charging order and enables variations to be made to the regime in line with the retail prices index.
Notice of the consultation has today been given in the London Gazette. Notices will follow in the appropriate local newspapers. Consultation documents are available on the Department for Transport's website at www.dft.gov.uk/roads/dartfordconsultation, and at Dartford Borough Council and Thurrock Council offices. Copies will be placed in the House Library. Respondents to the consultation can send their views to the Secretary of State c/o Julian Smith, Dartford Consultation, Zone 3/05, Great Minster House, 76 Marsham Street, London SW1P 4DR or by e-mail to dartford. consultation@dft.gsi.gov.uk
The Dartford-Thurrock crossing road user charging scheme accounts for 2005-06 are published today under Section 3(1)(d) of the Trunk Road Charging Schemes (Bridges and Tunnels) (Keeping of Accounts) (England) Regulations 2003. A copy of the accounts will be placed in the House Library.