Drivers using the Dartford Crossing between Essex and Kent lost over £3.6 million in unused Dart Charge payments over the past two years, with the Government retaining most of these funds. An inquiry under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act uncovered that in the 2023/24 financial year, there were £1,812,379 in unused Dart Charge payments, in addition to £1,790,559 from the previous year, totaling £3,602,938 in unclaimed payments.
The Department for Transport (DfT) informed This is Money, the requester of the FOI, that the majority of these lapsed payments are not reimbursed and are thus retained by the Government. Dart Charge payments, priced at £3.50 each way, are valid for 12 months before expiration.
Drivers have the option to request refunds for Dart Charges within the 12-month validity period. For those with dormant Dart Charge accounts, any remaining funds are reimbursed to the account holder using the original payment method. The Dartford Crossing sees up to 180,000 vehicles passing through daily.
A DfT spokesperson stated that all Dart Charge revenue is channeled to the DfT and utilized for transportation projects benefiting communities in Essex and Kent, such as the Lower Thames Crossing initiative. The Mirror has reached out to the DfT for further comments. AA president Edmund King highlighted the history of Dartford crossing tolls, which were supposed to cease after the bridge’s construction costs were recovered in 2003 but were instead maintained by the government for traffic management and revenue purposes.
The Dart Charge was increased by the Government in September 2025, marking the first fee adjustment since 2014. This move aligns with the approval for the Lower Thames Crossing project, aimed at alleviating congestion at the Dartford Crossing. The new crossing will link the A2 and M2 in Kent to the A13 and M25 in Essex via a 2.6-mile tunnel beneath the Thames, set to be the longest road tunnel in the UK.
Efforts on the Lower Thames Crossing project have been ongoing since 2009, with over £800 million of public funds directed towards planning.