AA boss calls to stop tolls during Dartford Crossing congestion

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, August 16, 2026

The president of the AA has called on the government to suspend toll fees at the Dartford Crossing during heavy congestion caused by roadworks or accidents. This demand comes amid a record £189 million in toll revenue last year, as critics argue motorists should not pay for delays and point to international examples where refunds are issued for extensive traffic hold-ups.

The president of the AA has called for the suspension of tolls at the Dartford Crossing during periods of significant congestion caused by roadworks or accidents. Edmund King urged the government to lift the £3.50 fee when delays occur on the Thames crossing or its tunnel approaches, arguing that motorists should not have to pay for a service that is not being delivered efficiently.

This appeal follows recent figures revealing that the Dartford Crossing generated a record £189 million in toll revenue over the past year, marking a 35 percent increase—an additional £50 million—from the previous year. Part of this surge is attributed to a 40 percent toll increase for car drivers implemented by Labour ministers last September.

King emphasised that toll payments should be considered a fee for a service, and if drivers experience delays caused by roadworks or slow incident clearance, it is reasonable to waive or reimburse the charges. “Otherwise, drivers are paying ‘money for nothing’ and getting no value from their payment,” he said, urging the government to provide a “fair deal” for motorists.

The concept of tolls as payments for a service has been supported previously by Karen Dunnell, the former national statistician, who explained to a House of Commons committee in 2009 that bridge toll charges are payments for vehicles to use roads within a specified area, classifying them as service payments.

King pointed to Italy’s system, where drivers delayed due to traffic congestion under government control receive partial or full refunds depending on the length of the delay. Those stuck for one to two hours receive 50 percent reimbursement, while those delayed more than three hours get their toll fees entirely refunded.

A Department for Transport spokesperson defended the toll increase, stating that the rise was necessary to maintain safety at the crossing, which now carries significantly more traffic than originally designed. The spokesperson further noted that all revenue from the Dartford Crossing is reinvested in transport projects, including initiatives in Essex and Kent, such as support for the Lower Thames Crossing, which aims to ease the strain on the crossing and reduce costs to the public purse.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.