Dart Charge

The UK Highways Agency has announced that its new payment arrangement is now live at the Dartford Crossing.

Announced in April, Dart Charge is a new payment arrangement for the Dartford Crossing, which is expected to reduce congestion and ease traffic flow.

Drivers can pay online, by phone or post or at one of thousands of retail outlets nationwide, instead of stopping at a barrier to pay the Dartford Crossing Charge.

According to the agency, payment can be made in advance or up to midnight the day after using the crossing using a prepay account, which saves up to a third on every crossing.

"Dart Charge marks the start of a new chapter for the Dartford Crossing."

A pre-pay account is said to be the cheapest and easiest way to pay, even if a person only uses the Dartford Crossing occasionally.

It also saves the hassle of making a payment each time and local residents need a prepay account to access the local residents’ discount scheme.

UK Highways Agency project director Nigel Gray commenting on the introduction of Dart Charge said: "Dart Charge marks the start of a new chapter for the Dartford Crossing.

"It is the first step in speeding up journeys for the tens of thousands of drivers who use the crossing each day."

Image: Dart Charge will reduce congestion and ease traffic flow. Photo: courtesy of UK Government.