Model Boat Mayhem

Mess Deck: General Section => Chit-Chat => Topic started by: JB on August 18, 2017, 04:30:03 pm

Title: Dart Crossing ?
Post by: JB on August 18, 2017, 04:30:03 pm
Anyone know anything about this charge ?

Ta
JaB

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pay-the-dartford-crossing-charge-dart-charge-by-post
Title: Re: Dart Crossing ?
Post by: BFSMP on August 18, 2017, 04:36:01 pm

yes its the name for the old Dartford tunnel crossing under the Thames.


can be done by post or online. the camera picks up your number plate and charges you. if you go through without prepaying and don't pay within 24 hours of going through [ one way by the way, not return] you get a penalty ticket which is, I think either 75 or 100 quid. for a single journey.


Jim,
Title: Re: Dart Crossing ?
Post by: Netleyned on August 18, 2017, 04:38:10 pm
Tunnel one way Bridge the other.
Used to be able to throw the right change into a bucket as you drove past I seem to remember.
Ned
Title: Re: Dart Crossing ?
Post by: Starspider on August 18, 2017, 04:41:06 pm
As Jim said you get a penalty notice after 24hrs [size=78%]which gives you I think 14 days to pay the original charge I will see if I can find my last one. I live about 7 miles from it so use it a bit but never prepay.[/size]
[size=78%]Colin[/size]
Title: Re: Dart Crossing ?
Post by: BFSMP on August 18, 2017, 04:44:43 pm

yes, I remember that........like the Mersey tunnel..........but I remember going both ways through the tunnel, ned.


mind you that was in the mid 1980's. has it changed in recent years. last time I went to Kent was in the norties and went anti c via the m25 to Rochester.


Jim.
Title: Re: Dart Crossing ?
Post by: JB on August 18, 2017, 04:54:32 pm
Thanks Guys quick too  :-))

Not me but my lad runs a car delivery firm, he has 3 drivers, one went over the crossing last month, penalty charge arrived this morning...£70 if not paid within 14 days £35 if paid within...£105 if not paid at all and a CCJ as well.

I know the driver myself decent guy 70 years young..fitter than me at 64 O0

I'm company sec   {-)

Be gettin the boot i will  ;D :embarrassed:

He can't have known or he would have paid. summat wrong wi the signs ???  {:-{   

 <*< <*< <*<
Title: Re: Dart Crossing ?
Post by: Colin Bishop on August 18, 2017, 05:36:58 pm
Great big signs warning you! Hard to miss really.

Colin
Title: Re: Dart Crossing ?
Post by: kinmel on August 18, 2017, 06:02:54 pm
The Dartford Bridge and the Conwy Tunnel on the A55 both cost about the same to build and the Queen opened them both within 24 hours of each other.

Strange as it may seem there has never been a toll for using the Conwy Tunnel, even though it too is a river crossing.  It is classed as a bypass round the town and must therefore be toll free.

Politics eh?
Title: Re: Dart Crossing ?
Post by: JB on August 18, 2017, 06:13:42 pm


Politics eh?

Hey dont say things like that  :o

you'll get me banned...or even worse  <*< :police:
Title: Re: Dart Crossing ?
Post by: Colin Bishop on August 18, 2017, 06:14:39 pm
The Dart crossing was supposed to be free after the construction costs had been recouped but of course it never happened. The latest 'drive through' arrangements appear to cause even worse queues than the original toll booths. Probably some fluid theory in there somewhere.

Colin
Title: Re: Dart Crossing ?
Post by: T33cno on August 18, 2017, 06:19:05 pm
If you open an account it only costs £1.67 per crossing including my 4.75 ton motorhome. Cheaper for local frequent travellers.


https://www.gov.uk/pay-dartford-crossing-charge
Title: Re: Dart Crossing ?
Post by: kinmel on August 18, 2017, 06:22:20 pm
Mind you the Conwy tunnels are dual use, Highways use them for storing traffic cones
Title: Re: Dart Crossing ?
Post by: JB on August 18, 2017, 06:25:00 pm
Thanks for all the info  :-))

cant keep up at the minute..unusual for me  %%
will reply to posters when i can... :}
Title: Re: Dart Crossing ?
Post by: JB on August 18, 2017, 08:31:06 pm


Good article in September Model Boats Colin Bishop wish I could visit..when is the build of Brenda due? i'll watch out for that. sailing hire interesting.drat i'm too old!!!.
 bit too far for me just now but you never know.
 reinstalled my digital Image program so this might not work.
Can but try...new vehicle to the fleet, 5 in total now...3 fiats, 1 ford ranger with 18' 6 wheel trailer and a twin deck Mitsubush arrived this week.my lad got a nerve... can we go through Dart crossing with all of these for 1.67 a go?


JaB
Title: Re: Dart Crossing ?
Post by: Colin Bishop on August 18, 2017, 08:38:26 pm
The Brenda article should be published shortly before Christmas.

Colin

Title: Re: Dart Crossing ?
Post by: Seaspray on August 18, 2017, 08:55:11 pm
Dartford tunnel was suppose  to become free several times over the 30 years I was there Huh promises promises

Some of the trucks I drove throu it used a Dart Tag I wonder if this was cheaper way

Don't know how you can get over the bridge Essex to Kent or throu the tunnel Kent to Essex without paying as there is barriers Kent side

Maybe it has changed since my day
Title: Re: Dart Crossing ?
Post by: T33cno on August 18, 2017, 08:57:25 pm
All barriers have been removed so unless there are lane closures due to breakdowns it should be completely free flow either way.
Still FREE after 22:00hrs
Title: Re: Dart Crossing ?
Post by: Colin Bishop on August 18, 2017, 09:01:24 pm
Strangely enough, it is the free flow which appears to have made the delays worse. The old toll booths seem to have been acting as some sort of 'valve' control.

Colin
Title: Re: Dart Crossing ?
Post by: T33cno on August 18, 2017, 09:02:38 pm
http://www.essexlive.news/dartfordcrossing

Title: Re: Dart Crossing ?
Post by: Seaspray on August 18, 2017, 09:09:18 pm
Good to here that as it was a bottleneck at the best of times

In my day even at night 2a.m 3 a.m. one pay booth was always open the pay trays were shut

At least it is free at night now
Title: Re: Dart Crossing ?
Post by: Starspider on August 18, 2017, 09:31:52 pm
Most of the problems with the free flow system are northbound through the west tunnel which they shut to convoy the petrol tankers under escort several times per hour so the northbound crossing goes down to 1 tunnel or 50% capacity ooops. Trouble southbound is normally traffic accidents.
John different class vehicles pay different tolls all on the website think they still double toll for trailers used commercially and pickups even crew cabs are classed as commercial even if used as private vehicle, don't ask.

Colin
Title: Re: Dart Crossing ?
Post by: JB on August 18, 2017, 09:52:24 pm
Many thanks to

BMSMP (jim)
Cloin Bishop
Netlyned
Starspider
Kinnmel (kimmel bay ?)
T33CNO
Seaspray

I'll tell my son about registering. up to him..i'm only the tea boy!
Ranger driver in for a shock, i'll pull his leg a bit later.
Its  dick turpin all over again.
hey seaspray..ha..i did night trunk at scuttleycor...was that you with the cab light on all the time in an artic? !!!

saw some things, one icy night we come up to a long line of trucks...i'm sat in the drivers seat ..lorry drive knocks on my window..? its like an ice rink out here says he...skating about in outside lane... true.i was there...! we crawl up to the front..50+ sets of blue flashing lights..honest both sides cars vans trucks all over the place...1 killed strangley chap from our local record shop....yuk..

JaB.
Title: Re: Dart Crossing ?
Post by: Seaspray on August 18, 2017, 10:03:29 pm
John
I worked nights to. The roads were good most of the time compared to Scottish ones more money for nights and roads quieter

 No I  didn't have the cab light on as I couldn't get to sleep with it on l,o,l,
Title: Re: Dart Crossing ?
Post by: BrianB6 on August 19, 2017, 02:44:59 am
Our e-tag system can be used to pay on all toll roads in Victoria, NSW and Queensland. Don't you have any similar system?
Mine was free to set up, apart from some postage, and I have direct debit so I never have to worry if there are enough funds in the kitty.   I do check the account each time it debits my bank.
Title: Re: Dart Crossing ?
Post by: JB on August 19, 2017, 02:59:19 am
G'day brian..middle of the night here..2.59 by my clock..
i was going to give a comprehensve reply but stopped myself,,,cud go p-o-l-i-t=i=c=l..???

wouln't want to spoil a decent thread now would I...?

One word to your question..NO.. %% {-)
I should be in bed asleep but my right foot is killing me..i think its GOUT.. <:( %% O0

Mercy me.... >>:-(

JaB ...got to laugh,.. {-) eh

Title: Re: Dart Crossing ?
Post by: JB on August 19, 2017, 03:07:27 am
John
I worked nights to. The roads were good most of the time compared to Scottish ones more money for nights and roads quieter

 No I  didn't have the cab light on as I couldn't get to sleep with it on l,o,l,

Yes more money no traffic. broke down a few times loooog night sometimes' 14 hours longest for us i reckon....esp in winter..

cant sleep with light on in cab?...ha ha ha  %% {-)

had to shut this old laptop off getting hot....so was me too :} :embarrassed:
is there a limit on smiley? must be close to mine if not past.

Listening out?
Title: Re: Dart Crossing ?
Post by: Seaspray on August 19, 2017, 08:15:40 am
Theres only a couple of places we pay for bridge or road use here in the U.K. Anyway had enough of driving first one in village to pass car driving test so its been a long journey, too long  O0

My bigest laugh about driving was the old man was stopped on the Queen Elizabeth Highway in Canada late 50s for not doing the minimun speed limit of 60 m.p.h.
Title: Re: Dart Crossing ?
Post by: BrianB6 on August 19, 2017, 08:49:52 am
And I thought the U.K.was more advanced than Oz. %%
Title: Re: Dart Crossing ?
Post by: Netleyned on August 19, 2017, 02:08:06 pm
Retarded more like,
You even get your brekkies before us.
But our pubs are still open when yours shut %%


Ned
Title: Re: Dart Crossing ?
Post by: BFSMP on August 19, 2017, 04:48:15 pm


Don't you have any similar system?


are you having a laugh, lol............we still live in the dark ages in England...............they still have toll booths on the Birmingham toll road, lol.......passing a law like that in Britain would take quangos ten years to come up with a mutual concensus.....costing millions in tax payers money and a million page report containing pure bovine excreta.


having said that, I was on a tram going down Blackpool prom this afternoon and saw that the horse drawn carriage's had brake lights and disc brakes on the back wheels so not everywhere is backwards in England...........lol.


I said in England because they are civilised in Scotland, don't charge on tunnels or bridges, and no toll roads as far as I know. lol.don't know about Wales or N Ireland though


Jim.
Title: Re: Dart Crossing ?
Post by: BrianB6 on August 20, 2017, 12:28:31 am
Ours seem to be mostly private enterprise so anything they can do to reduce costs.  :embarrassed:
Title: Re: Dart Crossing ?
Post by: grendel on August 21, 2017, 04:53:20 pm
As a twice daily user of the dartford crossing I suffer most days, fortunately I cross contrary to the worst traffic. the delays at the tunnels nowadays are usually the queues to exit at junctions 31 and 30. most accidents are at junction 31 where drivers (contrary to the signs) use the right tunnel, then cross the solid white lines to exit junction 31, some crossing from the extreme right lane - crossing 4 lanes of traffic - there are only a few hundred metres to cross in, most are taken out by lorries that cant stop when a car cuts in front (I  have seen a few cars there sideways across the front end of a lorry). junction 30 queues back onto the m25, sometimes back to the tunnel.
As for a toll - its not a toll anymore its a congestion charge, when it was introduced it was carefully worded to include tunnels over a certain length - which made the tunnel eligable.
the proposed new tunnel will run further east near gravesend, which is good as one proposal was to put in another tunnel at dartford, this doesnt move the traffic away from the approach roads, gravesend makes sense as all the m2 traffic will use this, halving the traffic through the existing tunnels, it will exit between junctions 29 and 30. I travel up the m2/a2 daily, and half the delays are between where the new tunnel will turn off and the m25.
one lad at work recently got caught - he went through and back, but only paid one toll, not realising, they let him off with just paying the missing toll as he had not realised you had to pay each way.
with the pre-pay service you can put a certain amount on the account, and it will email you a reminder when it drops below £10 credit, you can also put all of your vehicles on the one account and the credit is there until used up, so as you update vehicles you can add the new one and take off the old one. well worth it as you get a 30% discount for pre pay accounts.
Title: Re: Dart Crossing ?
Post by: Seaspray on August 21, 2017, 05:58:24 pm
Surprised how new the trucks were down there even the dust carts
Title: Re: Dart Crossing ?
Post by: Starspider on August 21, 2017, 09:43:07 pm

the proposed new tunnel will run further east near gravesend, which is good as one proposal was to put in another tunnel at dartford, this doesnt move the traffic away from the approach roads, gravesend makes sense as all the m2 traffic will use this, halving the traffic through the existing tunnels, it will exit between junctions 29 and 30. I travel up the m2/a2 daily, and half the delays are between where the new tunnel will turn off and the m25.


Afraid the figures your quoting Grendel are wrong, Highways England quotes a figure of 14% of traffic using the new tunnels from East tilbury to east of Gravesend, there is no planned connections to or from the westward of the A2 only eastward to the M2 on the southside and only connections to and from a northwards direction on the M25. Highways England preference was for a tunnel from junction 4 to past junction 28 on the m25 but local MPs have ear of PM or northwards from M2 to A130-A12-A14 with enhanced connections both ways to M25 but money was a problem. The new tunnel is only dual carriage with a capacity to absorb 20-25% of present flow so will not help much in traffic flow at present crossing when it goes wrong. I have a very keen interest in this as it will be about 400 metres from our house and 20 metres in the air joy!!!!
peace colin
Title: Re: Dart Crossing ?
Post by: grendel on August 22, 2017, 07:34:00 am
Thanks for correcting my errors there Colin, you obviously have studied this in greater detail than I have, it seems silly to restrict themselves in this way by not connecting to the A2 from London, as they then cannot use it to divert traffic if the tunnel or bridge are closed.
Unfortunately for me the new crossing will only complete at about the same time as I retire, so I will get all the disruption of the works and see no benefit, as my daily commute takes me to junction 29 from the M2, it would have been the ideal route for me.
Title: Re: Dart Crossing ?
Post by: Starspider on August 22, 2017, 10:16:36 pm
Thanks for correcting my errors there Colin


Just reread my post it reads a lot harsher than I meant sorry, yep very interested in the project for all the wrong reasons lol. Still best not get political hope the disruption is not to bad.
Title: Re: Dart Crossing ?
Post by: tr7v8 on August 23, 2017, 10:58:47 pm
Anyone know anything about this charge ?

Ta
JaB

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pay-the-dartford-crossing-charge-dart-charge-by-post (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pay-the-dartford-crossing-charge-dart-charge-by-post)
If the offender just phones up they'll let you pay the £2.50 each way, but I believe they'll only do this once. i.e. frequent offenders will be fined.
I did this as I live in Kent & all my cars are registered on the direct payment scheme @ £1.67 each way. Only problem is I moved a car on to a personal number plate & didn't update the DART website! The fine came through later....
Title: Re: Dart Crossing ?
Post by: tr7v8 on August 23, 2017, 10:59:38 pm
Oh & send him to SpecSavers the signs are big enough & it is on the local radio stations.