by Rachel Hovenden

rhovenden@thekmgroup.co.uk

The Gravesend and Dartford Messenger has joined the fight against government plans to increase the Dartford Crossing tolls by launching a petition today.

The Messenger will present the petition to the Department for Transport when a public consultation into the proposed increase ends on September 23 this year.

Furore erupted earlier this month at government plans to raise the fee for a single car journey from £1.50 to £2 this year and again to £2.50 in 2012.

A new trial has come into effect for six months from July 1, where the Highways Agency can lift tolls in severe congestion.

But severe congestion means 9.3 miles in Kent and 11 miles on the Essex side of the crossing and motorists have claimed the emergency measures have made no difference to queues.

The Messenger's petition states that the tolls not only increase congestion but also places a financial burden on motorists.

It urges, Philip Hammond, the Transport Secretary, to reconsider emergency measures to lift the barriers during severe congestion, to scrap all future toll increases, and to extend the local residents' discount scheme to include Gravesham.

To sign the petition go tohttp://www.petitionbuzz.com/petitions/axethetax