Tolls at the Dartford Crossing could be lifted as part of plans to ease congestion at the traffic blackspot.

Campaigners against charges at the tunnel and QEII Bridge are celebrating after the latest news, which marks the clearest indication yet that the new government could finally axe the tax.

But the proposals to lift the barriers and suspend charges would not be a permanent end to motorists’ misery - it would only apply when congestion at the tolls is “particularly severe”.