Evidence of Dartcharge crossing signage
Case reference FOI2025/00365
Received 10 February 2025
Published 24 April 2025
Request
1) Evidence of Crossing signage and that it meets legal requirements,
2) Maintenance records confirming that the signs were in place and not obstructed, damaged, or missing at the time (offence date 09 June 2024),
3) Confirmation of the legal authority for the issuing of the PCNs. [Regarding Charge Notice Reference IO13262440, issued for vehicle registration H3FFT, relating to an alleged unpaid Dartford Crossing charge on 9 June 2024]
Response
1) On the M25, A282 and A-roads leading to the Dartford crossing, there are 9 tariff boards that indicate there is a congestion charge zone ahead and display the Road User Charge (RUC) values payable. In addition, there are a minimum of 29 other signs in the area. The information displayed across these signs includes the “C” road sign symbol informing that congestion charging is in place, the times of the charging period and that road users must pay by midnight the following day.
The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 (TSRGD), prescribe the designs and conditions of use for traffic signs to be lawfully placed on or near roads in England, Scotland and Wales. All signage used on or around the crossing has been approved by the department of transport (DfT) in accordance with the TSRGD.
2) We have no recorded defects to any Dart Charge signage on 09 June 2024. We carry out weekly and daily safety patrols on our network and no safety defects or obstructions with the signage have been identified, and as a result there are no specific reports to share in response to this FOI. These are only generated when defects and repairs are identified.
3) Dart Charge is the brand identity used by National Highways, in relation to the collection of the congestion charge at the A282 Dartford-Thurrock River Crossing. The Dartford Crossing is operated by National Highways on behalf of Department for Transport. Emovis Operations Ltd is one of three suppliers appointed by National Highways to carry out tasks associated with running the scheme.
The serving of Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) from Dart Charge are fully compliant within the scheme orders by which we operate. The Road User Charging Scheme (Penalty Charges, Adjudication and Enforcement) (England) Regulations 2013, https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2013/1783/contents/made, provides the legal framework by which PCNs are issued.
Documents
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