Norman Baker (Lewes, Liberal Democrat)

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what assessment he has made of the merits of installing a modern payment system which does not require vehicles to stop to pay with cash on the Dartford Crossing; and if he will make a statement.

Sadiq Khan (Minister of State, Department for Transport; Tooting, Labour)

holding answer 29 October 2009

A payment system which does not require vehicles to stop and pay cash is already available at the Dartford Crossing. The Dart-tag system at the crossing is based on dedicated short range communications (DSRC) technology and complies with EU directive 2004/52/EC (Interoperability of Electronic Road Toll Systems). This is a pre-payment system available for all classes of vehicle and does not involve cash handling at the plaza.

A Dart-Tag is a computer chip based device that fixes to the inside of the vehicle's windscreen. Equipment installed in the toll booths automatically scans the personalised Dart-Tag, and providing the driver's account is in credit, the barrier rises automatically.

The Department for Transport intends to look further at the potential benefits of credit card payments and newer technologies at the Dartford Crossing.