Motorists crossing the Thames at Dartford have lost a staggering £3.6 million in unused toll payments over the last two years, with the vast majority of the funds being kept by the UK Government.
Millions in Unused Tolls Revealed
A recent Freedom of Information (FOI) request has uncovered the scale of the expired payments. The data shows that in the 2023/24 financial year, £1,812,379 in Dart Charge payments went unused. This came on top of £1,790,559 from the previous year, creating a combined total of £3,602,938.
The Department for Transport (DfT), which received the FOI findings from This is Money, confirmed that the "vast majority" of these expired payments are not refunded to drivers and are instead retained by the Government.
How the Dart Charge System Works
The Dart Charge is the payment system for the busy Dartford Crossing, which links Essex and Kent and is used by up to 180,000 vehicles daily. Each crossing costs £3.50 per trip. When drivers pre-pay or top up an account, the funds remain valid for a period of 12 months before they expire.
Refunds are only available if requested within that one-year window. For drivers with dormant Dart Charge accounts, any remaining balance is supposed to be refunded using the original payment details.
Controversy and Historical Context
The revelation has sparked criticism, particularly from motoring groups. AA president Edmund King highlighted the historical context, noting the "real irony" of the situation. "The Dartford crossing original agreement was that the tolls would stop once the bridge's construction costs were paid off, a milestone reached in 2003," he said.
"However, the government reversed its decision, retaining the charges to manage traffic and as a general revenue raiser." This was enabled by the Transport Act 2000, which introduced charging schemes for major roads and tunnels over 600 metres.
A DfT spokesperson defended the use of the revenue, stating: "All Dart Charge revenue is paid to the DfT and spent on transport projects which benefit people across Essex and Kent, such as the Lower Thames Crossing."
The Government recently increased the Dart Charge fee in September 2025, the first rise since 2014. This comes alongside the approved Lower Thames Crossing project, a planned 2.6-mile tunnel intended to alleviate congestion at Dartford. Planning for this new crossing has been ongoing since 2009, with over £800 million of taxpayer money already spent.
