by Jess Banham

Tolls at the Dartford Crossing could still go up by this time
next year, it's been revealed.

Transport Minister Mike Penning exclusively admitted to
KentOnline a hike was still in the pipeline, after it was announced yesterday a controversial
double increase won't go ahead before the Olympics.

The front bencher said he didn't think now was the right time
for the increases.

He added: "It's not just because of the Olympics, I mean
Christmas is coming and there were a lot of people writing to me,
businesses in particular, talking about the effects on Lakeside and
Bluewater if we put it up before Christmas and I don't want to
hinder growth."

The first increase was due to be brought in this month
- which would have resulted in drivers paying £2 for a single
trip. The other planned 50p rise for April has also been put on
hold.

But the minister argued a rise could not be scrapped completely,
and was likely to go ahead around this time next year as the money
would be needed for future projects.

He said initial traffic projections for the crossing were now
out of date, with traffic levels now "vastly in excess" of what had
previously been assumed.

That was why another crossing was needed.

He added: "It is unfair for that to come fully out of central
taxation as it's the motorists and the hauliers who will use it,
but at the end of the day I understand they need to see something
for their buck and that will be free flow
tolling so they won't be stopped."

The minister said he hoped to scrap the tolling booths at
some point in 2013.

Gareth Johnson, MP for Dartford agreed it was congestion at the
tolls that most needed addressing.

He said:
"When people talk to me about the Dartford Crossing the biggest
complaint they have is congestion - on local roads as well as the
M25; the second is pollution and the third is cost.

"Getting rid of the barriers will tackle those first two big
issues but it won't, of course, the third. The cost will remain,
and that's something I very much regret."

Local MPs, council leaders and retailers have all campaigned
against the planned increases.

More than 2,000 readers of the Dartford, Gravesend and Medway
Messengers backed the Fight the Hike petition, before a dossier was
handed over at the House of Commons at the end of the public
consultation.

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People in Dartford react
to the news

Mr Penning paid tribute to everyone who got in touch: "I think
it's brilliant that local newspapers get together with their
community and campaign on issues that are really important to them
but this is not just about Kent and Essex, it's one of the
most important junctions in the whole of the UK and at the moment
it is not working properly so I need the investment to fix it."

A final decision on the hikes is expected early next year.