Dartford Crossing

[jourdain2]

I drive something which has 4 wheels and a steering-wheel - not a knowledgeable person and so am a stranger to this bit of answerbank. If this subject has been extensively covered before then I apologise in advance.

We live in France. We expect to move back to UK in early Feb. (2 cars and van).
Because we have animals we shall go on the Shuttle. We are aiming for Yorkshire.

A friend telephoned this evening and said that suddenly we can't pay at the barriers at Dartford and that we have to have a contract. We've checked this out and it seems to be true. We are only going to use the crossing once. Does anyone know if there is still going to be one booth where we can chuck some money in and pass? It will be a long, long drive for a dog with crossed legs to go all the other way around.

I think I'm asking --- are they barmy?

[jourdain2]

We had no idea about any of all this. Thanks to you all we now have an idea as to how to proceed.l There is a shop in Malton (Yorks.) which we should reach before it closes and which will, I daresay, explain what we are supposed to do. It's all getting far too complicated and I suspect we shall stop driving abroad via that route any more..

[Mick-the-Miller]

The system that is supposed to be introduced on 30th November is a bit of a lash up. I currently have a Dart Tag and tried to 'migrate' to the new Dart Charge system - my address failed the data validation process and I had to phone up to get an account. I then tried to enter my car details and that wasn't found either.

More importantly there is no way that I can enter my Credit Card details - as it stands this system is a complete farce and is destined to be a disaster!

[Maydup]

Its a ridiculous system I agree. But i think you would be best to pay online in advance before you leave.

online at www.gov.uk/dart-charge
over the phone by calling: 0300 300 0120
via a payzone retail outlet
by post (in advance only): Dart Charge Customer Services PO Box 842 Leeds LS1 9QF

[Hymie]

When the bridge was build, it was on condition that the toll charges remained in place until the cost of the bridge has been recouped. That happened a number of years ago – but rather than a bank loan that we have paid off, the government has decided it would like to keep us paying (in perpetuity) for something we have already bought.

[berniecuddles]

i live less than 2 miles away from crossing gonna be chaos on the 1st day can see that coming a mile off!
see they whacked another 50p on now £2.50 to cross over crossing.i can pay £20 for the year if i wanted as a local resident and use the crossing unlimited times may look into that

[EDDIE51]

Hymie Yes it was paid off in 2003 now it just makes £750 million a year profit for the government. We were promised that the charge would end once it was paid for. I go into London and use the Woolwich free ferry if I have to go that way, the grand-kids love the free ride on a boat.

[EDDIE51]

Woowich ferry details here , so few people seem to bother using it that normally there is only a few minutes wait to get across the river.
http://www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/info/200078/public_transport/61/ferry_services

[TWR]

Hi Jourdain, I see you are going to Nottingham / Malton, you can use the M2, M25, M40, M42, M1, To get around the Bridge crossing, its as broad as long, obviously if you are going direct to Malton it the M25, M11, A14, ( A1 M1) the traffic problems you will mainly get is around Heathrow, which ever way you choose, have a safe one & welcome to the Rat Race.

[mushroom25]

TWR is correct, the extra mileage involved would be barely more than the cost of the toll.

[gsr600]

just aim to go through the tunnel after 10pm & 6am it FREE

[jourdain2]

I can't thank you all enough......wonderful response.... and thanks for the welcome to the rat-race TWR! At least I now have some good ideas as to how to proceed. Just another hurdle in the ever-changing modern world.

It's a good reminder that the crossing is free at night, but that isn't really an option. We are of an age when driving all night isn't on anymore (used to do it) and this time we are each going to be driving all the way and not sharing. It's nearly 8 hours up to the Chunnel, so it will be hard enough and we shall stop overnight at the B&B hotel at Boulogne (takes dogs). It's only 20 mins from there to the Chunnel and we've used it before as a very handy stop-over, but breakfast doesn't start until 7.

By the time we've put animals through check-in etc. about 9.00 a.m. is the first train we can get. Then we are looking at quite a long trip on the UK side, about 5 and a half hours. Anyway, thanks for the reminder. It's going to be a challenge! When finally back on email and answerbank, I'll let you all know that we got here and thank you all again for the help.

Sorry for all of you living down there, it sounds like a total disaster awaits at the end of the month. Good luck!

[Maydup]

Save journey Jourdain.

One last thing. Keep your eyes wide open when you check in at Calais.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/immigration/11075845/Illegal-immigrant-travels-from-France-to-Kent-hidden-in-a-Fiat-Panda.html

[lankeela]

This site has lots of places very close to motorway exits and services that are suitable for exercising your dogs on the journey: http://www.drivingwithdogs.co.uk/

[jourdain2]

Thanks maydup and lankeela. Doors on cars will be kept locked, but I hope the sight and sound of an over-excited terrier might put an aspiring immigrant off!

[Vaudinet]

If you use the Dartford Tunnel on the way to Dover with a caravan in tow, it's a bit much having to find a corner shop to pay for the crossing.
I signed up for the account and they have my £10.0 just in case I am delayed and miss the free overnight crossing which is when I prefer to travel as the roads are quieter. In saying this I made 2 crossings with just my car in April and I can't get them to take the payment from my account. They say their systems show my car as disabled and free from charge. I paid a full years tax when I bought the car at the beginning of December and DVLA have confirmed in writing my car is no longer shown as disabled on their system. Their systems must be well out of date.

[jourdain2]

Food for thought vaudinet - the systems don't (or didn't) recognise foreign registrations either!
It was a nightmare when we were there - roadworks still going on, traffic and lorries everywhere refusing to give way etc.. We got here, however! Don't think we'll ever use it again, unless at night.