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[Lampynoiseboy]

So, since it opened, assuming a pound per vehicle as an average, it's taken over £1.3 BILLION. so why in f*ck are we still paying a toll at dartford??

http://www.highways.gov.uk/roads/projects/4070.aspx

The first Dartford tunnel was built at a cost of £13 million
The second tunnel cost £45 million
The bridge cost £150 million (as has an expected life of 120 years)

So by my reckoning, we've been overcharged by £700 million

At to make it worse, they sold it to the French, so it's not even as if it's going to a good use

[blackviper90210]

I'm not defending this by any means, but don't forget the interest that had to be paid to borrow the money in the first place, to build it

[Lampynoiseboy]

I'm not defending this by any means, but don't forget the interest that had to be paid to borrow the money in the first place, to build it

I'll give you that, but if the interest is nearly 3 times the loan, someone needs investigating

Or a new calculator

However, the first was paid for before they started the second tunnel, then that was paid before the bridge was built. Given the increase in traffic to the current point, and the fact that they sold it, that must mean it's paid for?

[Lampynoiseboy]

And I'm not sure there would have been any interest, surely if the government paid it, it would have come out of highways dept budget?

[blackviper90210]

Good point, like I said, I have no idea how it's worked out

As per usual though, it now appears as if we're being ripped off....tax, tax and and ooooooo, have some more taxes

[Lampynoiseboy]

Good point, like I said, I have no idea how it's worked out

As per usual though, it now appears as if we're being ripped off....tax, tax and and ooooooo, have some more taxes

Or maybe it's not!

I did wonder why the bridge is charged for, I mean why not double the tunnel price & make the bridge free? No-one will drive to Blackwall to save £3 going north.
Traffic would flow much better with no tolls s/bound, and it's what they do with the severn(?) bridge to wales.....you only pay one way
The figures suggest it's equal traffic in both directions so why not?

I realise that they need staff (dangerous goods in tunnel convoy, close bridge when it's a bit blowy), but that's what car tax is for right?

[Martian]

Good point, like I said, I have no idea how it's worked out

As per usual though, it now appears as if we're being ripped off....tax, tax and and ooooooo, have some more taxes

Or maybe it's not!

I did wonder why the bridge is charged for, I mean why not double the tunnel price & make the bridge free? No-one will drive to Blackwall to save £3 going north.
Traffic would flow much better with no tolls s/bound, and it's what they do with the severn(?) bridge to wales.....you only pay one way
The figures suggest it's equal traffic in both directions so why not?

I realise that they need staff (dangerous goods in tunnel convoy, close bridge when it's a bit blowy), but that's what car tax is for right

No, it's a duty that you pay in order to have the right to keep/use a motor vehicle on a public road.

[zirk]

Its no longer a Toll as such but a Congestion Charge.

If you look at the amount of non UK vehicles that use it (lorry driver has to park up, climb over the seats to pay), why the hell are the booths not designed to serve both LHD and RHD customers I'll never know, oh yea, wouldn't be a congestion then.

[Varche]

What we ought to do in Britain (perhaps) is to adopt the Continental method. The A22 from Spain into Portugal has no toll booths and thus no cash option from Dec 8th 2011. You have to organise either a transponder for your vehicle or prepay.

Here is the rigmarole you have to go through although the Porkancheese would have you believe it is easy.

This may be of use to people traveling to Portugal - Via Spain
Esteemed Customer,

Thank you for your contact, which deserved our full attention.

Please be advised that in order to purchase one of our virtual prepaid solutions for vehicles registered abroad, you must:

1 - Register on the CTT website www.ctt.pt
2 - Access the link:
http://portagens.ctt.pt
and select the option "Serviços disponiveis - matriculas estrangeiras" in the menu on top of the webpage.
3 - Enter the username and password chosen when registering on the CTT website (or register on the website if you have not already).
4 - Fill out the form with information of your vehicle (country of registration, license plate number, phone number and class of toll - respectively) and click "Seguinte".
5- Select the first date when you shall pass through the toll (by clicking on the timetable icon) and then select the type of prepaid that you want to purchase. After this selection, click "Seguinte".
6- Finally, complete the purchase by indicating the details of your credit card (you can also check the terms and conditions of the prepaid you selected to purchase).

Remember that for any clarification or more detailed information, please visit our website http://portagens.ctt.pt or call CTT Line, available weekdays and Saturdays from 8am to 22pm, on 707 26 26 26.

Best regards,

Vanessa Vicente
Customer Service

[albitz]

As Zirk said.Liebore reclassified it as a localised congestion (anti pollution)charge.The reason for the localised congestion/ pollution ?......vehicles stopping to pay the charge. Could our intelligence be any more insulted.

[Murph]

It's yet another example of the motorist getting screwed by the powers that be.

The original deal was that the crossing would be charged until the construction costs had been recouped - that happened a few years ago, at which point the goalposts were moved and we were told that the charges were now for the upkeep of the tunnels and bridge.
When that became untenable they sold the whole shebang and said "not our problem" while the new owners said "hey it's our bridge and we'll charge if we want to!"

The only upside is that local residents can get a tag granting them crossings @ 20p per trip - pay a tenner and get a tag loaded with a tenner's credit.

Registered disabled vehicles cross for free which is something I suppose.

[Varche]

It's yet another example of the motorist getting screwed by the powers that be.

The original deal was that the crossing would be charged until the construction costs had been recouped - that happened a few years ago, at which point the goalposts were moved and we were told that the charges were now for the upkeep of the tunnels and bridge.
When that became untenable they sold the whole shebang and said "not our problem" while the new owners said "hey it's our bridge and we'll charge if we want to!"

The only upside is that local residents can get a tag granting them crossings @ 20p per trip - pay a tenner and get a tag loaded with a tenner's credit.

Registered disabled vehicles cross for free which is something I suppose.

Who sold it, how much and where is the money?

[blackviper90210]

It's yet another example of the motorist getting screwed by the powers that be.

The original deal was that the crossing would be charged until the construction costs had been recouped - that happened a few years ago, at which point the goalposts were moved and we were told that the charges were now for the upkeep of the tunnels and bridge.
When that became untenable they sold the whole shebang and said "not our problem" while the new owners said "hey it's our bridge and we'll charge if we want to!"

The only upside is that local residents can get a tag granting them crossings @ 20p per trip - pay a tenner and get a tag loaded with a tenner's credit.

Registered disabled vehicles cross for free which is something I suppose.

I've nothing against disabled people and I can see this getting me shot now, but why should disabled vehicles get to cross for free??   

No offence is meant towards anyone disabled in any shape or form. Both my parents are disabled, in case anyone tells me I have no idea what it's like

[Rods2]

In France the money from bridge tolls is ring fenced, so once the construction cost has been paid off and their is sufficient funds for maintenance the tolls are removed. 

Don't forget your only role in Rip Off Britain is to pay taxes for the Government to invest wisely in such important projects as aid to Argentina (£200m pa) and MP's duck houses. Oh, and you do get the privilege of legitimizing this every 5 years by putting a X on a voting paper. 

Motorists are a soft target through speeding, parking, and other minor infringement fines taxes, road tax, petrol tax, insurance tax, MOT tax, 20% VAT, new car tax, resident permit tax and council roadside parking and car park tax.

[Amigo]

I read this with interest. I forget what a car costs to get over or under but an artic is £3.70. The Humber bridge is £20 odd??? for an artic & £3 for a car!!!

   Funny how the Woolwich ferry is free.......