New ways to pay as Dart Charge nears launch
New ways to pay the Dartford Crossing charge have launched today (Friday 28 November), ahead of big changes at the Dartford Crossing this weekend.
Dart Charge is the biggest change at the Dartford Crossing for a generation, and will speed up journeys at the vital transport gateway while giving drivers more flexibility about how and when they pay the crossing charge.
Drivers have been able to set up pre pay accounts – which for most people will be the simplest and cheapest way of using the Crossing - since 5 November. Now they can make a single payment each time they use the Crossing too; online, by phone, at one of thousands of payzone retail outlets, or in advance by post.
Payments can be made in advance for any journey made after 6am on Sunday 30 November, and also up to midnight on the day after using the crossing. It will still be free to use the crossing between 10pm and 6am. The last cash payment will be taken at the Crossing at around 10pm on Saturday 29 November.
Dart Charge project director Nigel Gray said:
For most people a pre-pay account is the easiest, quickest and cheapest way to use the Dartford Crossing, saving drivers up to a third every time they use it. But we know that some people will prefer to pay each time they use the Crossing. The payment methods launched today will let them do just that.
More than 170,000 Dart Charge accounts have already been set up, covering almost 290,000 vehicles. Each will save up to a third every time they use the Crossing when Dart Charge goes live this Sunday.
Setting up a Dart Charge account is quick and simple, taking less than 7 minutes on average, and can be done from virtually any computer, tablet or smartphone. It can also be done by phone or post.
Work to remove the booths and improve the road layout will begin at 11pm on Friday 28 November and will continue until spring 2015.
Paying for a single crossing can be completed:
- online – go to gov.uk/dart-charge and follow the simple instructions
- by phone – call the Dart Charge team on 0300 300 0120
- at one of more than 18,000 of payzone retail outlets nationwide – find your nearest outlet at http://www.payzone.co.uk/Store-Locator
- by post (in advance only) to PO Box 842, Leeds, LS1 9QF. Call the number above to request a payment form.
For more detailed information about the works, including drawings of the planned road layouts, please visit www.gov.uk/highways/dartford
Dart Charge – Frequently Asked Questions
Dart Charge is a massive change to how people use the Dartford Crossing. Here are answers to some of the most frequent questions asked about the new payment arrangements:
When will the new payment arrangements be introduced?
Dart Charge will be introduced at 6am on Sunday 30 November 2014.
Why are you making the changes?
Removing the need to stop and pay at the barriers will ease congestion and speed up journeys for everyone.
How can I set up a pre-pay account?
- Online at www.gov.uk/dart-charge
- Over the phone on 0300 300 0120
- By post. Call us on the number above and we’ll send you a registration form.
What happens if I already have an account with DART-Tag?
There is no need to set up a new account – you should have already received personalised instructions to tell you how you can quickly and easily transfer to Dart Charge. If you have not received these please call us on 0300 300 0120.
I don’t want an account, how can I pay for an individual crossing?
- You can make one-off payments online – go to gov.uk/dart-charge and follow the simple instructions
- by phone – call the Dart Charge team on 0300 300 0120
- at one of thousands of payzone retail outlets nationwide – find your nearest outlet at http://www.payzone.co.uk/Store-Locator
- by post (in advance only) to PO Box 842, Leeds, LS1 9QF. Call the number above to request a payment form.
When do I need to pay the charge?
The charging hours are between 6am -10pm every day. It will still be free to use the Crossing between 10pm and 6am.
If you don’t set up a Dart Charge account you will need to pay the charge in advance or by midnight the following day for every crossing you make within the charging hours (6am – 10pm) on or after the 30 November.
What happens if I don’t pay?
If you do not pay by midnight on the day after your crossing, you will face a penalty.
Where can I find further information?
Further information and answers to frequently asked questions can be found at www.gov.uk/highways/dartford and everyone can subscribe to receive updates via this page. When are the main roadworks taking place? * The main roadworks at the Crossing to remove the booths and change the road layout start at 11pm on Friday 28 November. These are major improvement works and will continue until spring 2015.
Where are the roadworks taking place?
- The main works will take place on the A282 southbound (including QEII Bridge), A282 northbound (including Dartford tunnels) and Junction 31 on the M25 (clockwise).
Why are you doing this work / what is it for?
- The introduction of Dart Charge requires significant changes to the operation of the Dartford Crossing.
- The works will replace the current 27 lanes and payment booths with a much simpler road layout with four lanes in each direction.
- New traffic management measures are also being installed on the northbound approach to the tunnels to maintain safety and manage over-sized vehicles and those carrying dangerous goods.
How are the works being managed?
- There will be four main phases of roadworks, each requiring different traffic management arrangements.
- Throughout all phases reduced speed limits will apply and will be clearly signed, with speed enforcement taking place. Police will be on site regularly, to encourage safe driver behaviour.
- Sketch drawings of each phase are available on our road projects page and further detail is provided on phase one, which is due to commence this Friday 28 November.
Will there be delays?
- These are significant roadworks and road users can expect some impact on their journeys over the Crossing, but they are being planned to minimise disruption for road users.
- On the southbound route over the QEII Bridge, the improvements will happen quickly. We anticipate a greater impact on northbound traffic as the changes required on that carriageway are more complicated.
Will any diversion be in place?
- Yes, there will be diversions in place at certain points during the works. Further information about planned diversions, including diversion route maps can be found on our road projects page.
General enquiries
Members of the public should contact the Highways Agency Information Line on 0300 123 5000.
Media enquiries
Journalists should contact the Highways Agency press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer.