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Press Release

Spare Christmas shoppers from higher Dartford tolls

18 August 2011

Charges on the Thames crossing between Kent and Essex should not be increased this side of Christmas. That would help cash-strapped families and give struggling retailers in the area the best possible chance of a successful festive season.

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has asked the Secretary of State for Transport, Philip Hammond, to rethink his current plans for putting up tolls on the Dartford-Thurrock River Crossing because of the challenging economic environment. The Government is consulting on plans to increase the £1.50 cost for cars to £2 in November, and £2.50 in April 2012. Lorries would see a rise from £3.70 to £5 and then £6 next year.

British Retail Consortium Director of Business, Tom Ironside, said: "People's household budgets are already under great strain and families will be doing everything they can to make their money go further as Christmas approaches.

"Increasing costs for the Dartford crossings so close to Christmas could have a significant impact on nearby retail locations, particularly the Lakeside and Bluewater shopping centres. Shoppers will be forced to find extra money for travel, restricting what they can spend on gifts for friends and family. Operating costs for retailers' distribution networks will climb, adding another upward pressure to shop prices and squeezing margins.

"There are issues with congestion and delays at the Dartford crossings that the Government is right to try to address but these substantial price increases risk doing harm to local businesses. At the very least the first rise should be delayed until after Christmas to give struggling retailers the maximum benefit from their most important trading period."

View the BRC's letter in response to the Government's consultation on the proposed rises.



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British Retail Consortium

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