With the launch of Dart Charge set for November 30, more details have been announced today about how the Dartford Crossing payment booths will be removed.

Work to remove the booths and improve the road layout on approach to the crossing will begin on Friday, November 28 - the same weekend the new payment arrangements go live.

Highways Agency project director Nigel Gray said: “The payment booths have been part of the Dartford landscape since 1963 but they contribute to congestion and cause delays. That’s why they are being removed and we are introducing a new payment system called Dart Charge.”

From 30 November drivers will no longer pay at the booths. Instead, they will pay online, by phone, by post or in one of thousands of payzone retail outlets.

Last week, the Highways Agency announced a new advertising campaign, part of a £1.1 million information campaign to help people prepare for the changes.

Dart Charge will come into effect at 6am on Sunday, November 30, and the last cash payment will be taken at the Crossing around 10pm on Saturday, November 29.

The new payment arrangements will signal the start of major construction work to improve the road layout at the Crossing with 27 lanes of traffic reduced to four in each direction.

A new safety system of traffic signals and barriers on the approach to the tunnels northbound will be installed, which will prevent over-height vehicles from entering the tunnels, hold traffic in case of an incident or congestion in the tunnel, and allow the safe release of vehicles under escort (eg hazardous loads).

The roadworks will continue until spring 2015. Until then drivers can expect some delays but all work is being planned to minimise disruption. 

During construction temporary speed limits and road layouts will be in use so drivers should follow instructions on road signs.

Connect Plus is the organisation which operates the M25. Connect Plus Services is facilitating the delivery of the physical changes at the Crossing. 

Erwan Huerre, Connect Plus Services transition manager, said: “Initially, we’ll work to demolish the southbound booths and drivers should see the benefits travelling over the QEII Bridge after the first weekend of demolition. 

“On the northbound side, the works will take longer to complete because we need to construct a new tunnel safety system. 

“During this time, road users will still need to travel through the existing barriers, but they won’t be able to stop and pay here anymore. 

“The reason we need to keep the barriers at this stage is to stop over-sized or non-compliant vehicles from using the tunnel.”

To find out more about Dart Charge, or to register for updates, visit www.gov.uk/highways/dartford