Over one million non-UK drivers have managed to avoid paying the Dart Charge when travelling over the Dartford Crossing.

Road Haulage Association (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 £81 million have been passed on to a European debt recovery agency since the Dart Charge began in 2014. Highways England has stated that non-UK drivers not paying their charge make up less than 1% of total crossings, but it can still amount to an enormous loss.

Duncan 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 how many crossing users are dodging the charge.”

Photo: The Dartford Crossing.