Motorists across the UK have collectively lost a staggering £3.6 million in unused prepayments for the Dartford Crossing over the last two years, according to newly released figures.
How Millions Were Left Unclaimed
The substantial sum, revealed by National Highways following a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, represents one-off payments made by drivers who never used the service. These are typically deposits placed by road users who intended to cross between Essex and Kent via the Dartford tunnels or the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, but subsequently changed their plans.
Common reasons include avoiding the notorious congestion on the M25 or altering travel routes altogether. The pre-paid credit remains on their Dart Charge account, but if the journey isn't made within a year, the money is forfeited and transferred to the Department for Transport (DfT).
Government and Industry Reaction
A spokesperson for the Department for Transport defended the use of the funds, stating: "All Dart Charge revenue is paid to the DfT and spent on transport projects which benefit people across Essex and Kent, such as the Lower Thames Crossing."
However, the AA's president, Edmund King, launched a scathing critique, labelling it another example of drivers "being taken for a ride" by the government. He highlighted the original agreement for the crossing, where tolls were meant to cease once construction costs were repaid—a milestone achieved back in 2003.
"The real irony is the Dartford crossing original agreement was that the tolls would stop once the bridge's construction costs were paid off," King said. "However, the government reversed its decision, retaining the charges to manage traffic and as a general revenue raiser."
A System Called Into Question
King explained the practical dilemma for occasional users: "If you are not a frequent user, it's likely you pay for a return trip. Faced with heavy traffic on the M25, many drivers divert to avoid queues. But if you don’t do that trip for another year, you lose your money."
The controversy underscores ongoing tensions about road pricing and the management of critical infrastructure. Critics argue that a system initially designed to fund construction has morphed into a permanent charge, with motorists now losing significant sums for services they ultimately did not use.
