Stephen Metcalfe, local MP
for South Basildon and East Thurrock, has welcomed today’s announcement that
local residents who are already registered for the Dartford Crossing Local
Residents Discount Scheme will benefit from further reductions in 2014.
The new scheme, designed
to help local people who regularly use the crossing, will provide unlimited
crossings for just £20 a year from March 2014. This option will also be open to
local residents who privately own two-axle vehicles, including vans.
Around 4,000 local people
are expected to benefit from the price cut but it will only be possible to
register one vehicle per resident at each address.
The existing scheme -
which allows motorists to pay £10 for 50 trips a year and 20p for each crossing
thereafter - will continue, and existing users of the scheme will be eligible
for the new way to pay.
There are currently more
than 24,000 people signed up to the local resident discount scheme. Some 4,000
local residents make more than 100 trips each in a year and 700 of them make
more than 400 trips a year; these residents are set to save money with the £20
flat rate.
In a move to cut
bureaucracy, the Transport Secretary also announced that motorists registered
on the local resident discount scheme will only have to send in their vehicle
documentation every 2 years, rather than annually.
Mr Metcalfe has been
calling on the Department for Transport to act on this issue for some time,
stressing how let down local residents feel at being charged for using the
crossing. He commented: “This is great news for local residents and local
businesses. Under this scheme, it will cost just 5p per day to use the crossing
helping thousands of small businesses drive down their costs as well as saving
local residents their hard earned money.”
“Whilst this is most
definitely a step in the right direction, I have said for some time that I want
the crossing to be free for local people. I welcome the new scheme but will
continue to champion this message and keep working for the best possible deal
for the people of Thurrock.”
Residents can also look
forward to a free-flow charging arrangement at the crossing which should be
operational by this time next year. This will see barriers removed and people
able to pay before they cross, either online, by phone, or at certain service
areas.
