Dart Charge: Drivers still struggling to pay online

Drivers pay a toll to use the Dartford Crossing between Kent and Essex

Drivers are still struggling to pay for their Dartford Crossing journeys more than two months after a new online system was launched.

Motorists who do not pay the £2.50 charge promptly can be fined up to £70.

One driver said he was "incredibly anxious and stressed" after attempting to pay the Dart Charge five times.

A Highways England spokesperson said: "We are aware of issues that have impacted some customers and continue to work to resolve any ongoing issues."

John Lansdown tried to pay for his crossing three times online, only to receive a message saying his payment could not be taken.

When he attempted payment on the phone, Mr Lansdown did not get a receipt. He then paid by cash in a shop.

Ultimately Mr Lansdown ended up having two payments taken.

"It took about four hours of my time yesterday to try and resolve," he said, adding that the issue was "still unresolved".

National Highways has acknowledged that Mr Lansdown made two payments and has promised him a refund.

John Lansdown tried to pay for his crossing five times

Some drivers have vented their frustrations about struggling to pay online.

One posted on X: "Why is all contact ignored? Why am I waiting weeks to be able to login to my own account?"

"I don't want to be fined when I've actually tried to pay," another person said.

A National Highways spokesperson said: "We are acutely aware that customers who tried to pay the Dart Charge but were unable to do so because of technical issues should not be penalised."

Mr Lansdown received this message when he tried to pay online

The Dart Charge website has had several technical issues since it was launched at the end of July.

Drivers were asked to update their payment details but struggled to do so due to online maintenance.

After that, website congestion caused some people to wait in an online queue for three hours.

A spokesperson said the majority of Dart Charge account holders had been able to update their payment details and there had been 2.5 million successful payments so far.