Artist’s impressions have been released (top and middle) showing how the Dartford Crossing will look after a scheme to introduce free flow tolling finally gets under way. 

The Highways Agency is expected to launch the Dart Charge system in late November, which will coincide with the start of work to remove an existing 27 lane payment plaza (pictured bottom).

Removal of the payment plaza is expected to be complete next spring, to be replaced by four open lanes in each direction.

Project director Nigel Gray said: “It’s only when the booths have been removed that the full benefits of Dart Charge will be felt.”

He added that the Agency has measures to protect the tunnels from over height vehicles. “We’ll be completely redesigning the approach to the tunnels to detect and turn around vehicles not suitable for the tunnels, using a system of signals, barriers and extra lanes, while keeping all other traffic flowing as much as possible.”

A date for the introduction of Dart Charge is yet to be confirmed; the scheme was originally to be implemented some time in October but has now been delayed to November. A spokesperson said the Agency is currently engaged in user testing and the system is nearly ready to go live.

He added that a new website will be launched shortly to allow motorists to register for pre-pay accounts.

Introduction of Dart Charge will also see cars paying £2.50 to use the crossing, up from the present fee of £2.

(Images: Highways Agency)

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