THE government is significantly upping the charge for using the Dartford Crossing.

The news has been greeted with 'disappointment' by Thurrock MP Jen Craft, who has written to the transport minister asking for the increase to be reconsidered - but if it stand if some of the increased revenue can be used to help fund the return of the Tilbury-Gravesend ferry.

When the QEII bridge was opened in 1991, motorists were told that when the costs were recouped, charges would be lifted.

Today's (Tuesday, 17 June) announcement was made by Transport Minister Lilian Greenwood, in a statement to Parliament.

She said the road was used by as many as 180,000 vehicles each day and the current charge was "no longer sufficient" to manage the demand.

The standard charge for car drivers will rise from £2.50 to £3.50 in September. Car drivers with pre-pay accounts will pay £2.80 per crossing. The local residents discount will go up to £25 per annum.

Buses, coaches, vans and other goods vehicles with two axles will pay up to £4.20. Vehicles with more than two axles will be charged up to £8.40.

Mrs Craft said she had already written to the minister saying: "I am writing regarding the Written Ministerial Statement published in your name which concerns the user charge on the Dartford Crossing. 

"I was disappointed to learn that the Dart Charge will increase for all vehicles from September, given many of my constituents rely on the crossing on a daily basis. 

"I regularly hear from residents about their struggles with traffic at the Dartford Crossing, as well as the increased congestion it frequently causes in the Thurrock area.

"I know this increase will be unwelcome news for my constituents, so I wanted to understand if there would be any scope to reconsider this proposed uplift in the user charge on the crossing. It would be greatly appreciated by people across Thurrock and the wider Essex region. 

"Similarly, I wanted to reiterate the point I have made previously, that I believe investing in cross-river public transport would be an effective route to alleviating demand on the Dartford Crossing.

"One way of doing this would be to fund the return of the Tilbury to Gravesend ferry, as this service was frequently used by residents on both sides of the river.

"As such, I would welcome a discussion about whether some of the funding raised from these increased fees at the crossing could be locally ring-fenced, to be used for sustainable transport schemes such as the ferry."