Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to amend the charge for the Dartford Crossing, in the context of the potential impact of the Blackwall and Silvertown tunnel tolls on levels of congestion.

The level of charges at the Dartford Crossing is kept under review to maintain its effective operation. Given the additional capacity provided by the Silvertown Tunnel and that for most of the day the charges for cars, vans and lorries at the Blackwall and Silvertown tunnels will be less than those at the Dartford Crossing, the Department expects minimal changes in total demand at the Dartford Crossing when tolling at the Blackwall and Silvertown tunnels begins, and therefore this would not require amendment of the charges levied there.