Summary of responses to consultation

Summary of responses to consultation on discounted charges for local residents using the Dartford-Thurrock crossing

In December 2006 the Department for Transport published a consultation document: Proposed Changes to Charges at the Dartford-Thurrock River Crossing.  That consultation sought views on a range of measures designed to improve the use of the Crossing including changes to the charges, discounts for local residents, and investment of income in local travel schemes. 

In April 2007 the Department announced that, in response to local opinion, strongly supported by local MPs, it would develop a local discount scheme. In February 2008 the Department announced the details of the proposed scheme for consultation in the document “Dartford-Thurrock Crossing - Discounted Charges for Local Residents using the Crossing”.  Consultation closed on 16 May 2008.

Number of responses

As of 6 June 2008 the Department had logged a total of 67 representations that were treated as responses to the consultation.

Origin of the responses

The majority of the responses came from private individuals.  Many responses did not provide information on their origins, but from those that did we assess that about half came from locations within the proposed discount zone.

General observations

A number of responses addressed wider issues such as the principle of charging at the Crossing, the charge collection arrangements at the Crossing, and suggestions for an experimental withdrawal of the charges to assess whether the toll plazas were the source of congestion at the Crossing.  These matters were, however, outside the scope of this consultation exercise. 

The consultation document specifically sought views on:

1 eligibility, ie the discount area;

2 the discounted rate, ie 50 free journeys per year then 20p per journey thereafter; and

3 the way the scheme will operate.

1. The Discount Area

Responses from outside the proposed discount area, including from local authorities and the Mayor for London, expressed disappointment that these areas would not be eligible for local discount.  Many felt that areas beyond Dartford and Thurrock also suffered from congestion and pollution from the Crossing.

Responses suggested various adjustments to the scheme, e.g. that the entitlement to discount should be based on a geographical distance from the Crossing rather than the proposed council boundaries or that additional council areas should be included.  A number of replies noted that the proposed discount area north of the Crossing was larger than that south of the Crossing, with parts of Thurrock being further from the Crossing than areas south of the river that were not covered in the proposals.  

Those within the proposed discount area generally accepted the proposals, though many said there should be no charges at all.

2. The discounted rate - i.e. 50 free journeys then 20p per journey thereafter.

While those within the proposed discount area generally accepted the scheme, concerns were expressed that the first 50 crossings were not genuinely free owing to the requirement to pay an annual registration fee of £10.  Some respondents said that this, and the requirement to put £10 credit on the account when first used, would deter occasional users from signing up for the scheme. 

3.  The way the scheme will operate

A number of suggestions for change were offered, including;

• Tags should be transferable between cars registered at one address
to avoid applicants having to sign up for 2 vehicles.

• The scheme should be available to private users of commercial vehicles.

• Replies sought clarification on the transfer arrangements required for existing Dart Tag users who were eligible to change to the Local Discount Scheme.

Other points

A number of local authorities expressed concern at the proposed discontinuation of locally targeted funding.  Some argued that this should continue alongside the discount scheme. 

Conclusions following consultation

The Department has taken careful note of the responses received and has concluded as follows.

Discount area

It is inevitable that any boundary proposal in circumstances such as this will not be popular with those outside.  In developing our proposals we sought to strike a balance between reflecting impacts of the Crossing on those most affected by it while being workable, and clearly understandable to the public.  The Department’s proposal to use local authority boundaries represented a pragmatic and workable approach to include the most affected residents whilst being clear about eligibility.
 
The Department continues to believe our proposed approach represents a proportionate response to the concerns raised in the initial consultation, and is not persuaded that alternative approaches suggested are better.

The discount rate

There was little comment on this beyond concerns that the first 50 free journeys were not genuinely free, given the requirement to pay a £10 administration fee.  The Department notes that discount schemes cost money to administer and a local discount scheme requires a regular check on eligibility.  This is the reason for the £10 fee, which mirrors the arrangement in London for the Congestion charge.  Payment of this fee entitles users to 50 free journeys per year.  The Department confirms its proposal on this point.

There was some misunderstanding during the consultation process about the requirement to put credit on the account.  The consultation document had proposed that £10 credit should be loaded on when an account was opened.  The Department believes that many people will want to put credit on their account but has listened to concerns that a requirement to do this could be confusing.  It will therefore not be mandatory.

The way the scheme operates

The Department notes the suggestion that discount tags should be transferable between vehicles.  This was considered in developing our proposals but rejected.  Given the scope for fraudulent or accidental misuse it is essential that users know local discount tags should be fitted in one vehicle and not moved.  Allowing flexibility here is a recipe for confusion. 

The Department also rejects the suggestion to extend the scheme to commercial vehicles.  The scheme covers essentially personal and leisure use.  Extending it to commercial use raises the prospect of giving businesses within the boundary a competitive advantage.

Arrangements are already being made to address transition from existing DART-Tags.  These will be made public in due course.

Targeted funding

The Department said as early as the December 2006 consultation that if a local discount scheme were to be offered then remaining revenues would be directed at national transport schemes.  Currently, in recognition of the impact of the Crossing on residents of Dartford and Thurrock, additional funding is available to Kent County Council (£1 million) and Thurrock Council (£0.75 million) in support of their local transport plan allocation. 

The Department understands the disappointment at the withdrawal of this arrangement but notes that it was an integral part of the proposal.  The Department further notes that the Crossing provides significant extra money for national transport projects, including some of direct benefit to users of the Crossing, for example enhancements to the motorways and trunk roads leading to the Crossing.