Haulier fears toll of Dartford Crossing price rise

Frankie Stonebrook said his 15 lorries used the Dartford Crossing three times a day

Making the Dartford Crossing more expensive would lead to nationwide price rises, the director of a haulage firm has warned.

Frankie Stonebrook said his lorries made the crossing between Essex and Kent up to 45 times a day and the new charges could add £55,000 to his annual costs.

Vehicles with more than two axles will be charged up to £8.40 from September, a rise from £6.

Transport Minister Lilian Greenwood said the existing price was "no longer sufficient" to manage demand.

Fees to use the crossing, used by up to 180,000 vehicles a day, were last increased in 2014.

Mr Stonebrook said his fleet of 15 drivers each used the route three times a day, costing him as much as £90,000 a year.

"There's no way we can get around Dartford, it is the most important road for us," said the businessman, who is based in North Ockendon.

But he stressed the revised charge would spike his annual cost to between £125,000 and £145,000.

"That sort of money we can't afford to just swallow up, so we will have to pass those costs on eventually to clients," Mr Stonebrook added.

"It affects everyday people because everyone will eventually put prices up and the price of goods nationwide will just go up."

The Road Haulage Association said: "[It is] regrettable that the charge increase has been so significant.

"This adds to running costs at a challenging times for businesses in our sector."

The Queen Elizabeth II Bridge opened in 1991

The concern was echoed by Kevin Wade, whose insurance employees in Orsett relied on the crossing.

He said making it more expensive was "another kick in the teeth".

"I just don't see what we're getting for it, that's the problem," Mr Wade said.

"The congestion around that area is always terrible, it doesn't move smoothly."

What are the new costs?

• Motorcycles, mopeds and quad bikes: Free

• Cars, motorhomes and any minibus with nine or less seats: £3.50 (was £2.50)

• Vehicles with two axles: £4.20 (was £3)

• Vehicles with more than two axles: £8.40 (was £6)

Cost accurate for a one-off crossing

Under the original construction scheme for the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, tolls were meant to stop when the private finance initiative with Dartford River Crossing Ltd ended in 2003.

However, rule changes under the Transport Act 2000 allowed the Highways Agency to continue to charge a crossing fee.

The government hopes building a Lower Thames Crossing will manage traffic in the area

Greenwood said managing demand was critical, stating drivers faced persistent delays at Dartford.

She said the new costs were "significantly lower" than if they had increased in line with inflation since 2014.

"Current charging levels are no longer sufficient to achieve their stated aim of managing demand so that the crossing works well for users and local people," she added.

The government hoped a £10bn project to build the Lower Thames Crossing would cut traffic in the area by 20%.

It would become the second fixed road crossing of the River Thames, east of London, when opened, linking Tilbury in Essex and Gravesend, Kent.

The Treasury awarded the development £590m on Monday.