New camera system at Dartford toll is wrongly charging innocent drivers who have already paid online

The Dartford Crossing Toll at M25 is now digitally alive and people have started to pay online using Payzone payment terminals or  by using the internet and by the phone.

Dartford toll booths were removed last year in an attempt to reduce heavy congestion on both sides of the crossing. The toll is situated on M25 and is used to cross the River Thames between Kent, Thurrock, Essex and Dartford. There are two methods to cross the river, tunnel or bridge. The newly evolved system has drawn a number of complaints in its first two months. The AA reported that the system is wrongly charging the drivers.

The ANPR or automatic number plate recognition software is causing confusion by misreading the number plates. The system is getting confused on the similar letters like, “C” or “G” and drivers have reported that they are being charged wrongly while crossing the Dartford Bridge.

Some people have even received the letter from the authorities to pay the toll even though they have never used it as the system misreading the number plates. A female driver in Stock-on-Tees received a letter to pay the penalty charge of £70, but the lady said that she has never used that road in her life.

The system was installed to reduce the journey time and congestion by automatically detecting the number plates of the vehicles passing through the new system. With the instigation of the new system at Dartford Crossing, the crossing fee has also been increased to £2.50 for a car and £3.00 for two-axle cargo vehicle, however, multi-axle vehicles have to pay £6.00. Cruise bikes and motorcycles can still cross the toll for free.

There is a free crossing available for everyone if you use the crossing between 10pm to 6am. The new system will run in the same way as the London Congestion system. It means motorist will pay on the official website of Government at –gov.uk/dart-charge or they can call at 0300 300 0120. Payzone terminals are also authorised to receive the payments. An advanced payment system is also available at Dart Charge Customer Service, PO Box 842 Leeds LS1 9QF. Dart-charge prepay accounts can save motorists up to one-third of the original fee.