FOLLOWING Patrick McLoughlin’s announcement in the House today that the Dartford crossing residents scheme is to be extended, Thurrock MP Jackie Doyle-Price has expressed her delight that the Secretary of State has listened to her representations.
Speaking in the House today the Secretary of State said
“I am also announcing today important changes to the discount scheme, which will help local people who use the Dartford-Thurrock crossing, following a persuasive campaign by my hon. Friends the Members for Dartford (Gareth Johnson) and for Thurrock (Jackie Doyle-Price). From March 2014, those registered on the schemes will be able to make unlimited trips over the crossing for just £20 a year. For the first time, we will include privately registered vans, offering a welcome boost to small businesses.”
Residents will thus be able to choose between paying £10 as they do at present for 50 free crossings and 20p thereafter or to pay £20 for unlimited free crossings.
Jackie said, “I have been lobbying the Government since I was elected to try and get free tolls for Thurrock residents and I am delighted that the Secretary of State has been persuaded to make these concessions. I am particularly pleased that the residents discount scheme will be extended to small vans. This will help a large number of Thurrock residents who require a van for their work. Regular users of the crossing will benefit from the option to pay £20 a year for unlimited crossings. With the tolls set to rise again these are significant discounts for Thurrock’s motorists. I am proud to have delivered these changes which will benefit hard working people across Thurrock.
Well what do you think of that Polly Billington!!. well done MP Jackie, some of us do see the good you do for your residents even though its never appreciated by some.
Yes well done Jackie.
Hang on I thought it was John Kent and the Labour MP’s that got this through, well if you believe the other story on this site…………….more and more like Punch and Judy, the whole thing should be covered by The Thurrock Court Players as it is more like a pantomime than ever.
The new £20 unlimited crossings is great if you work regularly in Kent. Otherwise if you shop 2 or 3 times per year at Bluewater, go see Nan in Broadstairs and Ken in Margate once a year and go on holiday via Dover/Eurotunnel thats just 12 crossings a year (crossing there and crossing back per trip) and you pay not 20p a crossing but 83p. Still a good saving but not quite the bargain of year. Go to Kent only twice a year and thats £2.50 a crossing! 50p extra at present rates, ie not worth it.
Better to delete £10 for 50 when the £20 unlimited comes in. Instead £5 for 25 or even 20 crossings would be a much better arrangement for most of the non working-across-the-river residents of Thurrock and Dartford
Remember single tolls go up again to £2.50 in 2014 when they dont have to pay for the toll collectors any more (???).