Toll charges are to be increased to up to £2.50 for the Dartford Crossing over the Thames between Kent and Essex. Current charges stand at £1.50 per car and will increase to £2 in 2011, to £2.50 in 2011.
As well as Kent commuters raising amid concerns, The AA too have spoken out on the spending cuts. "The higher the toll, the more likely congestion is likely to happen. The increase will just ramp up the possibility of more problems not only during the charge times but at the start and end time".The Dartford crossing is already controversial as the charges were only meant to be once the structure had been paid for. That was covered in 2003. Seven years later fees are still in place.
A further concern for Kent commuters is the railway service. Despite Chancellor George Osbourne “waiting” till 2012 to increase railway prices, figures will see many season tickets rocketing over £1,000 more expensive by 2015.
From 2012 the cap will be RPI plus three per cent that if introduced next year, would have seen fares rise to almost eight per cent. The rise in price in railway services could see passengers turn to roads, which then could lead to more carbon emissions.
Debbie Rudd, 46, lives in Kent and travels to Essex for work. "The traveling prices has left commuters no where to go. The new rail fares will drive people onto the roads but then new charges to roads will see people not want to use those routes. Then there is congestion to think about. I shouldn't need to leave my house at five to avoid charges and congestion."
Osbourne says that the rise is needed to pay for new trains and improve passenger condition. Carl Bailey, 56, who lives in Canterbury had to say, "Does this mean I'll able to sit for the full amount of my journey? And not just the last quarter. If they are going to increase the fares, I would like a seat on the train to moan about the increases."
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