Kent CC calls for share of Dart Charge profits

11/07/2025 | GEORGE BARKER

Kent CC calls for share of Dart Charge profits

The leader of Kent CC has called for her county to see a share of the Dartford Crossing income after the Government announced plans to increase the tolls from this September.

Cllr Linden Kemkaran wrote to roads minister Lilian Greenwood outlining a request for a share of the profits due to the impact on Kent being 'so great'.

'There is a strong argument that KCC, as the Highways authority for Kent, should be passported a proportion of [the profits] each year to aid the upkeep of the road network,’ she said.

The newly elected Reform UK council leader continued by adding that ‘the crossing is not on the cusp of losing money’, given that cash receipts were £221.6m for 2023-24, with operating costs of £134.9m leaving a net profit of £86.7m.

Ms Kemkaran argued that ‘there is no reasonable alternative route’ for Kent residents making the journey northwards from Dartford.

She said that the only other option would be to drive through Greater London and incur further charges from the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) and the use of the Blackwall or Silvertown tunnels, both of which now charge.

Updated fees

The fee for cars using the crossing is expected to increase by 40% from £2.50 to £3.50 – although there will be a discount of 70p for drivers who pre-pay.

While there will still be no charge for motorcycles and other similar vehicles, the rest of the charges will increase from 1 September 2025 as listed below:

  • Cars (including trailers), motorhomes, and any minibuses that have nine or fewer seats (including the driver’s seat): one-off charge of £3.50 and £2.80 when pre-paid
  • Buses, coaches, vans, and other goods vehicles with two axles: one-off charge of £4.20 and £3.60 when pre-paid
  • Buses, coaches, vans, and other goods vehicles with more than two axles: one-off charge of £8.40 and £7.20 when pre-paid.

Announcing the changes, Ms Greenwood said: ‘To secure the effective operation of the crossing, I have, therefore, decided to increase the charges for all vehicle types that currently pay to use the crossing from 1 September 2025.'

She added that she was ‘aware that these necessary changes to the charges will be unwelcome news for users of the crossing,’ but that the Government will ‘continue to support local people’ through the resident discount scheme.

Despite the minister expressing a desire to ‘keep the nominal fee paid by local people as low as possible’, there will also be a 25% increase to the annual fee from £20 to £25 per year.

Image credit: Shutterstock @Alexey Fedorenko

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Civil Enforcement Officers x 2

£26,403.00 - £28,142.00, Grade 5, 37 hours, Permanent
Parking Services are looking to recruit 2 full time Civil Enforcement Officers to complement its existing workforce. Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Senior Street Cleanse Technician x 3 (CDC)

Grade 6 £25,981 - £26,815
We are about to embark on an ambitious programme of change in our city. Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: City Of Doncaster Council

Highways Development Officer

£37,280 - £40,777
This is an exciting time for a talented, self-driven professional to join us in the role of Highways Development Management Co-ordinator. Gloucester
Recruiter: Gloucestershire County Council

Principal Highways Development Officer

£48,226 - £51,35
This is an exciting time for a talented, self-driven professional to join us in the role of Highways Principal Development Management Co-ordinator . Gloucester, Gloucestershire
Recruiter: Gloucestershire County Council

Street Lighting Project Engineer

PO2 - £41,442 to £44,331
Help us keep our streets safe, efficient and ready for the future Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recruiter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Principal Engineer - Highways Development Management

£47,181.00 - £50,269.00, Grade 11, 37 hours, Permanent
We are seeking a dedicated Principal Highways Development Management Engineer to join our team. Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Highways Development Management Engineer

£32,061.00 - £46,142.00, Career Grade 7-10, 37 hours, Permanent
Do you want to join a team helping to shape the future of Wakefield through HIghways Development Management? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Highways Project Engineer

£31,537 - £42,839 per annum
Would you like to be part of our friendly, welcoming Highways team, proud to manage all aspects of the highway network? Boroughbridge, York
Recruiter: North Yorkshire Council

Highways Project Engineer

£31,537 - £42,839 per annum
Would you like to be part of our friendly, welcoming Highways team, proud to manage all aspects of the highway network? Skipton, North Yorkshire
Recruiter: North Yorkshire Council

Technician - Highway Inspector

Grade 8 £29,719 - £31,691 per annum
Within the Highways Maintenance Team we are looking for an enthusiastic, customer focused and experienced person Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Highway Design and Construction Manager

Grade N, scp50 £62,443 to scp53 £65,663 per annum, plus essential car user allowance
We embrace AI to enhance our operations and to innovate our services. Bolton, Greater Manchester
Recruiter: Bolton Council

Technician - Highway Inspector

Grade 8 £29,719 - £31,691 per annum
At Derbyshire, we have been on a journey to transform the way we deliver highway services. Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Team Leader (Maintenance Operations)

Grade 10 - £48,226 - £51,356
Cardiff is growing faster than any other capital city in Europe. Cardiff (Caerdydd)
Recruiter: Cardiff Council

Highways Supervisor

£Competitive
We have a fantastic opportunity for a permanent Highways Supervisor Forfar, Angus
Recruiter: Amey

Tree Surveyor

£Competitive
We are excited to offer fantastic opportunities for Permanent Tree Surveyors Scotland
Recruiter: Amey

Chief Operating Officer – South West Wales Corporate Joint Committee

£Competitive
We’re looking for a bold, visionary leader to take on the role of Chief Operating Officer Carmarthenshire (Sir Gaerfyrddin)
Recruiter: Carmarthenshire County Council

Clerk of Works - Highways

£Competitive
We have a fantastic opportunity for a Clerk of Works to join our dynamic NMC SW Account team at Polmadie. Glasgow, Glasgow City
Recruiter: Amey

Highways Supervisor

£Competitive
We have a fantastic opportunity for a permanent Highways Supervisor to join our NMC NE account in Kinross. Perth and Kinross
Recruiter: Amey

Planner - Highways

£Competitive
We have a fantastic opportunity for Permanent Planner – Highways to join our NMC SW Account. Glasgow City
Recruiter: Amey

Highways Maintenance Manager

£51,356 - £55,539 per annum
We are looking for an experienced Engineer to join the team as a Highways Maintenance Manager Selby, North Yorkshire
Recruiter: North Yorkshire Council
SUBSCRIBE NOW

Latest Video

Subscribe to Highways today to ensure you keep your finger on the pulse of everything happening in the UK road network throughout the year.

SUBSCRIBE NOW