The Highways Agency has highlighted the considerable savings account holders are now set to benefit from following the first stage of registrations for the new Dart Charge scheme for the Dartford Crossing.

South-east travellers heading into or out of the capital may be required to regularly utilise the Dartford Crossing to complete their journeys and, from November 30th, a new system is being put in place that will do away with the need for barriers at the crossing.

Aimed at streamlining traffic flows and reducing levels of congestion during peak times, the new Dart Charge system uses number plate recognition technology to allow account holders to use the bridge without the need to stop.

Accounts for Dart Charge membership were opened on November 5th and so far more than 77,000 business and private travellers have signed up.

The benefits to doing so not only include less hassle – as journeys are automatically charged to their account – but it is also cheaper, with the usual fee of £2.50 per crossing reduced to £1.61 for Dart Charge members.

Highways Agency project director Nigel Gray said: "For most people using the Dartford Crossing, a prepay account will be the cheapest and most convenient way to pay the crossing charge.

"I'm really encouraged by the take-up so far, but urge all drivers who use the crossing to sign up for an account and benefit from the discount it offers."

There are other means of payment for non-account holders planning to use the crossing. These include a new facility to carry out payment either online or via an individual's mobile phone, while local retailers will also be able to process payments for travellers.

In total, more than 100 of the UK's largest fleet operators have already signed up to Dart Charge, with further business links expected to be created for the agency through this scheme in the coming years.

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