In the current economic climate, it is a disgrace the Labour Government is continuing to maintain the toll at the Dartford Crossing under the pretence that it is a congestion charge.

Every week day tens of thousands of vehicles are held up, sometimes in eight-mile traffic jams. While the Government, through the French company that collects the toll, is wallowing in money.

Industry is paying twice, once direct to the Government at the toll booths and then again for the cost of wasted fuel, extra wear and tear and drivers’ time sitting in queues.

There is also the health issue. Not only are the vehicle drivers affected, but the pollution also affects nearby townships.

The bribe offered to residents in Thurrock and Dartford by a reduced cost of using the crossing is a cynical attempt to retain the seats of the local Labour MPs. In a civilised country such a bribe would be considered unconstitutional; but not in Gordon Brown’s Britain where the Constitution is rewritten everyday, generally to the detriment of society as a whole.

If the Government can use billions of our money to bail out the banks it can give some of it back by removing the Dartford toll immediately.

Brian Lee
Woodfield Road
Hadleigh