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MP Bob Spink has again challenged the Dartford Crossing charges in the House of Commons.

18 December 2007

Bob says:

"I understand there is to be a statement made in parliament early next year on fees for local drivers. I continue to press the Government to waive fees for all South Essex drivers, including those from Basildon, Castle Point, Southend and Rochford. These charges place costs on local people, who need to cross the river to work shop or visit friends and family, that are nto generally placed on other people around the country who do not have to pay tolls to use the road network. The Government were wrong to keep the charges going after the crossing had been paid for in full. This was yet another example of the Government breaching trust with the people."

Bob’s comments in the House of Commons yesterday were:

17 Dec 2007 : Column 635

Points of Order

5.39 pm

Bob Spink (Castle Point) (Con): On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. Have you had chance to see the written statement—No. 22 on today’s Order Paper—by the Secretary of State for Transport on the Dartford crossing charging scheme’s accounts? Given that the Bill that set up the crossing scheme stated that the charges would be entirely removed when the scheme had paid for itself, which has now happened, would it not have been better to have had an oral statement in the House so that hon. Members could have questioned the continuing, improper and hard-to-afford charges that our constituents have to pay?

Madam Deputy Speaker (Sylvia Heal): Whether Ministers decide to make a written or oral statement is not a matter for the occupant of the Chair. I think that the hon. Gentleman will have opportunities to follow up that point, not least, perhaps, during tomorrow’s debate on the Christmas Adjournment.