Write-offs tarnish £61m Dart Charge revenue increase
The introduction of the Dart charge saw revenue increase by £61.8 million in 2016 – but it should have been more.
Accounts for the financial year 2015-16 – the first full year of the new payment method – show the Dartford Crossing raised £161.1 million compared with £99.8 million in 2014-15, when the tolls were replaced.
But despite the hike, auditors say there were losses of £33.6 million because Highways England had to abandon efforts to recover unpaid charges due to “significant issues” with the system used.
As a result, in many cases too much time had elapsed to recover money owed.
In a critical report, auditors say: “Data held to support statutory enforcement activity was not complete and accurate.
“As a result, Highways England decided to freeze or aban- don the issue of Penalty Charge Notices to certain customers during this period.”
The report says “the figure is unusually high for this year as a result of system issues encountered during the first half of 201516.”
It adds that while many of the problems were “substantially resolved”, the temporary measures to limit enforcement activity had led to a loss for taxpayers.
But it says while the figure was “unusually high” the estimated losses were probably about £8.8 million, taking into account the fact many drivers would have been first-time offenders who would have been given the chance to pay within 14 days.
Using the crossing costs between £2.50 and £6, depending on the type of vehicle.
On the rise in revenue in 2016, auditors say there has since been tougher enforcement action against those who fail to pay, as well as increased traffic.
Drivers are fined if they don’t pay by midnight on the day after making the crossing. The fine is £70 to be paid within 28 days, but it’s reduced to £35 if paid within 14 days and increased to £108 for those who don’t pay.
The crossing suffers regular delays despite the new charging system, leading to frequent congestion and delayed journeys during the rush hour.
The Highways Agency issued a statement saying the system was being administered effectively, adding: “The auditor’s notes are detailed in the report.
“He also notes that the underlying issues have been substantially resolved and that the accounts are being published without qualification.”