Nearly one million motorists who utilize the Dartford Crossing risk facing fines due to failures in updating their Dart Charge accounts, raising concerns among drivers over account management issues.
Following a service provider change by National Highways in July 2023, motorists were instructed to update their account details for Dart Charge, the toll system for using the QEII bridge. However, recent reports indicate that out of the 1.7 million account holders, only around 770,000 successfully updated their details as requested, leaving a significant portion at risk of penalties.
Many users rely on automatic payments deducted from their accounts to cover the £2.50 crossing fee. However, several motorists have reported receiving fines for journeys conducted after their accounts were allegedly shut down without their knowledge.
The situation has escalated to the extent that some individuals have faced bailiffs at their homes over missed payments they believed were automatically processed.
National Highways asserts that all account holders were contacted in advance regarding the account update requirements. A spokesperson emphasized that inactivity or invalid payment details could lead to account closure, with multiple notifications sent to advise customers of the status and necessary actions.
Despite these reassurances, concerns persist among motorists, particularly infrequent users, prompting calls for improved communication and account management systems to prevent further penalties.
As around 4.5 million crossings occur between Essex and Kent each month, ensuring the smooth operation of the Dart Charge system remains critical for both National Highways and the thousands of motorists relying on the Dartford Crossing for their daily commute and travel needs.
