New charging measures to control congestion on the Dartford River Crossing are expected to raise £50 million a year for transport projects.
The charges will be introduced on April 1 when new operator Le Crossing is due to take over from the Dartford River Crossing Company Ltd whose concession is coming to an end.
The Government put the operation of the crossing out to competitive tender and decided a new charging scheme would be introduced.
The new contract with Le Crossing, a consortia of Ringway, Babtie and Cofiroute, is for between three and five years depending upon performance and reviews.
The new charging system will exempt motorcycles and local bus services, and introduce a flat rate of £1 between 10pm and 6am for all classes of vehicles.
From 6am to 10pm charges for motorists will remain unchanged.
All the proceeds from the charging scheme, over and above operation and maintenance costs, will be spent on transport projects and should result in an extra £50 million that would otherwise not have been available.
Highways Agency project manager Steve Ashley said: "I welcome the appointment of Le Crossing. The crossing is an important link on the M25, which carries around 145,000 vehicles every day. It is vital that its future operation and maintenance is secured."
Published Friday, January 31, 2003
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