OUR Taking Its Toll campaign demands the Government to re-think its plans to increase Dartford Crossing toll fees by 50 per cent.

The proposals, by Transport Minister Dr Stephen Ladyman, have been widely condemned by motorists and local politicians.

The Government is planning to increase single crossing fees for cars from £1 to £1.50, saying it needs to tackle increasing volumes of traffic and congestion.

The proposals also mean pushing up charges for vans from £1.80 to £2 and lorries from £2.90 to £4.

Geoff Dossetter, a spokesman for the Freight Transport Association, said: “ They should have scrapped the tolls completely when the construction costs of the crossing were paid off some four years ago.”

Cllr Keith Ferrin, the Kent County Council cabinet member for highways, called the new charges “outrageous”.

Dartford MP Dr Howard Stoate said: “Local residents are unhappy that they have to continue to pay to use the crossing when so little of the revenue from tolls is spent on transport projects in Dartford.”

The new system involves increasing daytime costs but scrapping charges from 10pm-6am.

Users would also receive a discount if they pay using the Dart Tag electronic charging system. For cars this would keep the cost down to the existing non-Dart Tag price of £1 per crossing.

A consultation on the new charges will be launched in December and the Government plans to bring the new charges into effect in January 2008.