ANOTHER GREAT RIP OFF..
Some years ago, the cost of building the Dartford Crossing on the M25 section between Kent and Essex had been recouped from the tolls on vehicles making the journey. When the Queen Elizabeth Bridge was first commissioned, a promise was made that, once the cost had been met, then the tolls would be withdrawn and drivers could look forward to using the crossing free of charge. Sounded fair enough. Didn`t happen of course. Yet another Government promise biting the dust.
Over the years, the tolls have increased and so too has the volume of traffic to the extent that long delays are now caused primarily due to the `mechanics` of collecting the tolls at toll booths. Now, in a flash of inspired thinking the Government has decided not only to increase the tolls yet again but also to introduce a system of collecting tolls by means of `vehicle registration identification.` This will require tolls to be paid in advance, either using shops, the internet or mobile phones and if you don`t pay up then watch out for a hefty fine of up to £180.
Ministers insist that this new arrangement, scheduled to start in 2014, is the only way to speed up the traffic flow and that the imposition of fines is the only way to ensure that tolls are collected. So what if, like me, you don`t use a mobile phone? What happens if you don`t have internet access or find it difficult to get to a shop? There must be thousands who will be inconvenienced by these proposals and who may give up using the crossing altogether - maybe that`s the Government`s cunning plan?
So here`s another simplistic Snopper-esque solution - if the Government are so concerned to reduce the traffic snarl-ups and reduce journey time, then just do away with the tolls anyway, which will have the combined effects of keeping the traffic moving, keeping drivers happy and, most important of all, keeping the promise we were given all those years ago. Too simple, I know, especially for a Government who can`t resist another great rip off when they see one.
Ministers insist that this new arrangement, scheduled to start in 2014, is the only way to speed up the traffic flow and that the imposition of fines is the only way to ensure that tolls are collected. So what if, like me, you don`t use a mobile phone? What happens if you don`t have internet access or find it difficult to get to a shop? There must be thousands who will be inconvenienced by these proposals and who may give up using the crossing altogether - maybe that`s the Government`s cunning plan?
So here`s another simplistic Snopper-esque solution - if the Government are so concerned to reduce the traffic snarl-ups and reduce journey time, then just do away with the tolls anyway, which will have the combined effects of keeping the traffic moving, keeping drivers happy and, most important of all, keeping the promise we were given all those years ago. Too simple, I know, especially for a Government who can`t resist another great rip off when they see one.
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