A month after the new Dartford Crossing payment system was introduced, the Highways Agency has announced that it is currently chasing 300,000 motorists for failing to pay. Since the 6am-10pm chargeable period was introduced on November 30th last year, around two million crossings have been made.æ According to the latest statistics, around 15 per cent of these _ equivalent to 10,000 per day _ are not being paid for. Fines are currently being issued to offenders, with the first penalty charge notice for each vehicle including a warning letter giving the driver an extra 14 days in which to pay the original fee.æ If they do so, they will not be charged a penalty.æ In addition to this, any further crossings made in the same vehicle can be paid at the standard rate as long as the money is sent on time. Dart Charge project director, Nigel Gray said: 'We want to give all drivers the opportunity to pay and comply with the scheme. 'This measured approach strikes the right balance between being clear to drivers they need to pay Dart Charge and giving them every opportunity to do so.î One million vehicles are now registered to Dart Charge accounts with journey times indicating improvement according to the latest data. 'The introduction of Dart Charge has been a big change so it is great that the vast majority of drivers have paid the charge,î added Gray. Under the new system, drivers are no longer required to pay the crossing charge in cash at the barrier.æ Instead, they can pay online, by phone or at one of the thousands of Payzone retail outlets around the UK.æ Payment must either be made in advance or by midnight the day after the crossing has been used. The Highways Agency has set up a specific Dart Charge website, which can be found here.
