A MAN has been slapped with a “ludicrous” £210 toll bridge fee despite living 300 miles away and never using the route.
Peter Hurley, 67, received two fines from the Dartford crossing between Kent and Essex – one of Britain’s most expensive toll roads..
The Dartford Crossing is among the busiest routes in the country, used by an estimated 50 million vehicles a year.
Peter, who was battling depression and the breakdown of his marriage at the time said he felt targeted and “vulnerable”.
“I’d just come back home to lick my wounds, as it were and there was this body that was threatening me with the full authority of the state,” he said.
In 2015, the company threatened Peter with two fines amounting to a whopping £210.
He was accused of crossing the Dartford Bridge despite living 300 miles away at the end of a 40-mile cul-de-sac in Barrow-in-Furness.
Despite clearly not being the offending “white van man” caught on camera, the organisation threatened him with the fines on two separate occasions.
“It was utterly ludicrous,” said Peter, who added he felt completely “abused” by the authorities.
The consultant avoided paying the fines by sending recorded delivery letters of complaint to the post office address provided, costing him £15 each time.
Whilst he was able to prove his innocence he said he worried about others who may have been less fortunate.
“There’s so many of these minor little fiefdoms that have been set up. At least one in 100 of their letters must go to a vulnerable person,” he said.
He added: “And so many vulnerable people get trapped by that and find awful amounts of money.”
The road bridges the Thames, connecting Kent and Essex and allowing vehicles from both counties to access London.
It’s also a major money spinner for the Government as the route, managed by National Highways, is the third most expensive toll in the UK.
Motorists pay £2.50 pop to cross, behind only the £2.60 Tamar Bridge and £8.90 on the M6 Toll.
The payment, known as the Dart Charge, is operated under a “free flow” system designed to keep the traffic moving and reduce congestion.
THE Dartford Crossing is a busy stretch of road in Greater London that is used by around 180,000 cars every day.
The crossing – which was known as the Dartford Tunnel until 1991 – is made up of two tunnels and the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge and carries a charge for many who use it.
How much is the Dartford Crossing charge?
The charges at the Dartford Crossing vary depending on the type of vehicle being driven and if the driver already has an account set up on the gov.co.uk website.
The fees are often referred to as the Dart Charge.
Cars (including trailers), motorhomes and any minibuses that have nine or less seats have to pay £2.50.
If the driver has an account, however, this will be reduced to £2.
Buses, coaches, vans and other goods vehicles with two axles face a £3 charge – or £2.63 with an account.
Similar vehicles with more than two axles will have to pay £6 – or £5.19 with an account.
If you live in the council boundaries of Dartford or Thurrock you can apply for a local residents discount.
You can pay an annual fee of £20 a year to use the crossing as many times as you want.
Another option is to pay £10 a year for 50 crossings.
If you are on the £10 plan and you run out of crossings you can pay £5 for 25 additional crossings or pay £10 to upgrade to the £20 plan and get unlimited crossings.
Either way, for local residents the total amount you pay in a year will not exceed £20.
How can I pay the Dartford Crossing charge?
Since the tollbooths at the Dartford Crossing have been removed, the charge can be paid on the gov.co.uk website.
Charges must be settled by midnight the day after crossing but can also be paid in advance.
The government website can be used to pay the Dart Charge and to set up an account to make future payments easier and cheaper.
Users can also use the service to pay or challenge a fine, as well as check which crossings they have paid for.
To pay the charge drivers will need their number plate to hand.
If challenging a fine you will need your PCN reference number which can be found on your Penalty Charge Notice letter.
The Dartford Crossing charge can also be paid with cash at Payzone stores.
Accounts can also be set up by post or by phone and customers wanting to do so should phone the Dart Charge contact centre at 0300 300 0120.
Does the Dartford Crossing charge change during the day?
Drivers usually need to pay the Dartford Crossing charge if they use the crossing between 6am and 10pm.
This includes at weekends and during bank holidays.
The charge changes after 10pm and is free to use from then until 6am the next day.
Those who use the crossing on a motorcycle, moped or quad bike do not need to pay the charge.
If you get free UK vehicle tax because of a disability you can also cross for free.
What is the penalty for not paying the Dartford Crossing charge?
Motorists face a £70 fine if they do not pay the Dart Charge.
If you receive a Penalty Charge Notice you must pay the fine within 28 days or it will increase to £105.
If you pay within 14 days, however, it will be reduced to £35.
All fine amounts are in addition to the original crossing charge.
Fines can be paid online – at the gov.co.uk website – as well as by phone and post.
Fines can be disputed online but drivers must be able to show evidence that the PCN was issued incorrectly.
