Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Written Statement of 17 June 2025 on Dart Charge, HCWS708, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of extending the Local Resident Discount Scheme for the Dartford Crossing for users of the Crossing living in Kent.

The current approach of applying the local resident discount only to people who live within the boroughs where the Dartford Crossing is located (Dartford and Thurrock), recognises that it is the people living in those boroughs who are most affected by the heavy traffic using it.

Car drivers with a pre-paid account benefit from a 20 per cent discount for each crossing regardless of their place of residence, which offers good value for money for people who live beyond Dartford and Thurrock.