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Audio: Richard Dodd of
the British Retail Consortium

He said: "It is nothing more than tax-gathering for which there
seems to be no other purpose."

The retail sector was particularly concerned about the
pre-Christmas increase and its lobbying, including a letter from
the John Lewis group and protests from the British Retail
Consortium, are thought to have been instrumental in swaying
ministers.

The fact that two of the UK's biggest shopping centres -
Bluewater and Lakeside - lie on either side of the crossing
was believed to have been a powerful argument in delaying the
plans.

Kent County Council leader Paul Carter welcomed the tolls being
scrapped, but said it was vital to introduce free flow tolling as
soon as possible.

He added: "It is also important that the Department for
Transport continues to look at delivering additional crossing
capacity of the Thames and makes a firmer commitment to when this
will happen.

"Congestion at the Dartford Crossing and its approaches costs
the UK economy some £40m a year.

"Additional capacity will create employment, stimulate economic
recovery, improve journey time reliability and increase network
resilience. When tolls go up that money must be earmarked for an
additional crossing."

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has welcomed today's
announcement.

Roger House, Chairman of FSB in Kent and Medway said: "This
announcement by the Roads Minister vindicates the long campaign by
the FSB against the Dartford Crossing charges, which already makes
the Government some £40 million each year and adds to the
congestion for crossing users.

"We welcome the decision, as it will mean businesses will not
now face higher costs to use the Dartford Crossing.

"What would be ideal is for the tolls to be axed to further
promote economic growth in Essex and Kent."

He said the argument that tolls reduce congestion was a
flawed one.

A recent survey revealed 86% of FSB respondents disagreed with
the increase, with more than half of those who replied said it was
due to the fact the crossing costs had already been recovered.

The bridge was paid off in 2003.