Foreign drivers cannot avoid paying Dart Charge, says RHA

The news that over one million non-UK drivers have managed to avoid paying the Dart Charge when travelling over the Dartford Crossing comes as little surprise to the Road Haulage Association *RHA). Speaking to BBC Kent, RHA policy director Duncan Buchanan said: “This issue was identified from the moment the Freeflow system was introduced, and it is still a problem. Foreign drivers should pay: it’s as simple as that. It is very concerning that there are still hauliers making the crossing for free.” Fin
August 22, 2017 Read time: 2 mins
The news that over one million non-UK drivers have managed to avoid paying the Dart Charge when travelling over the Dartford Crossing comes as little surprise to the 6985 Road Haulage Association *RHA).


Speaking to BBC Kent, RHA policy director Duncan Buchanan said: “This issue was identified from the moment the Freeflow system was introduced, and it is still a problem. Foreign drivers should pay: it’s as simple as that. It is very concerning that there are still hauliers making the crossing for free.”

Fines totalling more than US$104 million (£81 million) have been passed on to a European debt recovery agency since the Dart Charge began in 2014.

Speaking to BBC Radio, celebrity lawyer Nick Freeman said it ‘sent out a bad message’. He claimed it could be sorted without too much difficulty. "The government need to grasp this because the amount of money is exorbitant and it's totally unfair," he added.

"The point is there are millions and millions of foreign drivers who come over to this country and they pay nothing to use our roads. We go abroad, we have to pay."

A 8101 Highways England spokesman told the BBC: "The vast majority of drivers are paying their Dart Charge correctly, and the number of foreign drivers not paying on time makes up less than one per of total crossings. Non-payment is being followed up fairly and appropriately, using all legal means, both in the UK and abroad."

Buchanan concluded, “We need enforcement to ensure that the appropriate Dart Charge is collected from all crossing users and the RHA considers it to be totally unfair that there are still many who are making the crossing free of charge. It is a great concern that we just don’t know just how many crossing users are dodging the charge.”

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Subtle differences
    February 27, 2012
    Too often, when I sit down to write one of these forewords, I worry that things are becoming a little circular.
    Read More
  • Transformation of UK transport ‘has hardly begun’
    November 13, 2015
    As the Highways UK event approaches on 25-26 November, Jennie Martin, secretary general of ITS United Kingdom, believes the technological transformation of transport in the UK has hardly begun. She says, “The changes that are coming are going to affect everyone. We are going to be answering questions most people haven’t even thought to ask. In ITS, the UK is ahead of the game, but the game is changing. It’s an incredibly exciting time.’”
    Read More
  • Turnkey projects deliver enforcement for developing countries
    January 25, 2012
    Jenoptik Robot’s Ralf Schmitz talks about enforcement deployments in developing countries, and how those with long-established histories still have much to learn. In the enforcement sector, the concept of technology provider also being responsible for operations is hardly a new one. Nevertheless, it has gained significant traction over the last five or six years and has the potential to radically change the complexion of the industry according to Jenoptik Robot’s Director, Sales Ralf Schmitz.
    Read More
  • Promoting understanding of the need for enforcement
    March 15, 2012
    Changing needs of mature and emerging economies are demanding more rigorous enforcement services. Gatso’s managing director Timo Gatsonides spells out the challenge to Jason Barnes. As geographical markets mature and saturate, it might seem that the only thing for suppliers to do is to look further afield in search of new opportunities. The automated enforcement market in north western Europe could be a case in point, but Gatso’s managing director Timo Gatsonides begs to differ. The sheer number of new syst
    Read More

Highlighted Content