The Highways Agency is leading on a project to introduce ‘free-flow’ charging at the Dartford-Thurrock river crossing, which would improve traffic flow by removing the barriers and therefore the requirement for drivers to stop and pay. The delivery of this is scheduled for October 2014.
One of the biggest objections to a ‘barrier free’ or ‘free-flow’ user charging scheme is the ability to obtain a high level of payment compliance when there is nothing to physically stop a vehicle and pay a toll.
Therefore it is deemed necessary to have enforcement provisions to ensure road users comply with the charges under a barrier free operation. The Department for Transport is currently undertaking a consultation seeking views on a proposal to enable charging authorities to take civil enforcement action against drivers who fail to pay road user charges.
For advice on any transport law issues, please contact Jared Dunbar at Dyne Solicitors on 01829 773 100.