Drivers are being reminded to re-validate their payment cards for the Dart Charge, with a new company becoming responsible for vehicle identification, payment processing and account management from Friday (July 28).

Conduent will be responsible for the payment system used for journeys across the Dartford Crossing over the River Thames, while Emovis will continue to issue and handle enquiries for penalty charge notices (PCNs). 

National Highways says it has undertaken customer research to ensure customer needs have been incorporated into the new design.

Dart Charge customers, it added, will see improvements on the website, making it an easier and more accessible service. 

These changes, along with new banking requirements, mean that account holders will need to re-validate their payment cards from July 28. This includes pay-as-you-go customers.

National Highways said it has written directly to affected customers and warned if no action is taken crossings will not be automatically paid due to invalid card payment details, which may result in a PCN being issued.  

Helen Watkinson, head of road user charging for Dart Charge, said: “We have worked hard to design a customer centric service with the new suppliers, really putting the customer at the heart of our design.

“Whilst there are improvements from day one, we have further exciting improvements in the pipeline to further enhance the service offer and offer customers more flexibility.  

“We will announce further changes as they come online.”

She continued: “We thank our customers for their feedback which has helped to design the new service and look forward to continuing that customer relationship to further improve the service. 

Customers can leave feedback and comments on the website: https://pay-dartford-crossing-charge.service.gov.uk/Home.

Anyone wanting to know more about the scheme, or for any help, can visit: https://pay-dartford-crossing-charge.service.gov.uk/Home. 

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