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[Lizzie_Zoom]

Personally, as someone who has wasted hours in the queues there I believe the removal of the barriers is great news, and the continuation of toll charges is fine, especially if they build the next crossing.

We all must accept that new transport links cost money, and like in the USA where tolls are a regular feature, that is a sensible way of raising the funds required at the sites of major infrastructure.  I would always argue though that the road fund licence must be scrapped, and funds raised as and when you drive the miles. Like on the trains and buses, use it and pay for it and don't rely on other taxpayers paying for the total cost.

The Department of Transport are apparently relying on 7% of motorists who use the bridge and tunnel not paying the toll as required and ending up being fined; work out the amount that represents!  They are also apparently working with the authorities abroad to ensure fines incurred by foreign drivers will be "robustly chased"

Sorry, but if any uk motorist is fined for not paying the toll online or on the phone then that is their problem as they shouldn't be so ignorant as a driver of a licenced vehicle; like all those still happily going around with tax discs in their screens due to them not getting the message about it's abolition!

Everyone complains about the "nanny state", so let all of us take full responsibility for our actions and live by what we wish for!

 

[MV6Matt]

Funny really, they once said that they would stop charging once the funds covered the cost of building the bridge 

Oh, the story I heard was that the money was being syphoned off by the original owners, so they made the payments permanent...

[Bigron]

Will it still be free between 10 PM and 6 AM?

Ron.

[BazaJT]

Don't think it'll affect me much barriers/no barriers,toll/no toll as it's a good many years since I last used the crossing and I've no immediate plans to use it again.As for tax disc in window then ignorant or not mine is still there.It was causing no harm when it was a legal requirement and it's causing no harm now!!

[Toledodude1973]

Totally agree with tax disc still showing, not exactly a big deal

[Lizzie_Zoom]

Don't think it'll affect me much barriers/no barriers,toll/no toll as it's a good many years since I last used the crossing and I've no immediate plans to use it again.As for tax disc in window then ignorant or not mine is still there.It was causing no harm when it was a legal requirement and it's causing no harm now!!

Apart from the fact that it is an unnecessary obstruction to a drivers field of vision, like smelly things hung in the front window

It also makes me fascinated in human nature. The authorities stop a useless function on a vehicle and many want to do the opposite.  . How stubborn is man. No wonder we still have wars!

[BazaJT]

Never really classed it as an obstruction to my field of vision.No Lizzie not stubborn just basically too damn idle to take it out!Must say I agree totally with regard to doing away with rfl altogether and putting it on fuel or such so that those who use roads most pay most for their upkeep.

[ronnyd]

I,m keeping my tax disc in for sentimental reasons cause i,m old.

[Toledodude1973]

I'm keeping mine until the screen breaks .....just to be stubborn

[Nick W]

Personally, as someone who has wasted hours in the queues there I believe the removal of the barriers is great news, and the continuation of toll charges is fine, especially if they build the next crossing.

We all must accept that new transport links cost money, and like in the USA where tolls are a regular feature, that is a sensible way of raising the funds required at the sites of major infrastructure.  I would always argue though that the road fund licence must be scrapped, and funds raised as and when you drive the miles. Like on the trains and buses, use it and pay for it and don't rely on other taxpayers paying for the total cost.

I too spend large amounts of time queuing for the crossing(probably 3  hours last week!), and would argue that anything that eases the congestion should be considered. I don't see that another crossing further downriver is viable, as it wouldn't connect anywhere useful on either side.

As for the tolls, I'm used to driving in France, where they have the opposite approach: long stretches of motorway are charged for, but where they go closely around towns are free to discourage through traffic. The Peripherique is toll-free for instance, as are the autoroutes around Bordeaux, Lyon, Marseilles etc, or smaller towns like Tours or Poitiers.

[Magwheels]

must be paid by Midnight by CC Shop or Online.

What happens if you drive through at 23:59?

Ah yes, pay on your mobile phone at 70mph

23.59 the next day, you get 24hrs before being collared.



Yep and free for motorcycles....at all times.

I personally think its a great Idea (apart from the poor sods that lost their jobs) as it was the biggest pain in the A### ever trying to get across up North should I ever want too! The traffic should flow much more freely now, except for Thurrock and Blue water exit junctions that is, so still expect delays.

And yes it makes me very proud to know that I pay £240 odd a year RFL plus a few extra tolls to have roads that are frankly an embarrassment compared to the rest of the world....except maybe India!

[Rog]

And yes it makes me very proud to know that I pay £240 odd a year RFL plus a few extra tolls to have roads that are frankly an embarrassment compared to the rest of the world....except maybe India!

            

Damn right. Drove in France earlier this month, yes had to pay on the Peage BUT no delays, no roadworks, no closures, nothing except a nice quick easy drive 

[Nick W]

Damn right. Drove in France earlier this month, yes had to pay on the Peage BUT no delays, no roadworks, no closures, nothing except a nice quick easy drive 

Wait until the workers go on strike and close the toll booths! We were waiting for 6 hours, although it turned into an impromptu picnic/party so wasn't all bad.

[omega squared]

this is ridiculous there should be the option to pay at a tollbooth in some lanes at least

[chrisgixer]

Yep, they're giving people every oppertunity to cop a fine.