THE county’s former transport chief has apologised for failing to secure the promised free access to the Dartford crossing for Essex residents.

Norman Hume said Essex County Council will support a third lower Thames crossing and the removal of toll booths, but has been unable to get free access to the current crossings.

He said: “I am very disappointed for the population in this part of the world that we did not get free crossing.

“The people of Essex should have it as they paid for it. Thurrock got the benefit but we could not get this extended for the rest of Essex which was important.”

When the original crossings were planned, the people of Essex were assured the crossing would be free once it was paid for.

Last year, the Department of Transport announced a £1billion plan for a new road crossing and plans to increase tolls to £2.50 by 2012 to pay for it.

Toll booths are also going to be removed to ease congestion with automatic number plate recognition cameras being installed to monitor traffic and charges.

Mr Hume said: “We support a lower Thames crossing and are in discussions with Kent, Thurrock and the Department for Transport over the £1bn plus development and how it can be taken forward.

“Free flow tolling will come in from 2012 which should stop the bottleneck and make it quicker for those using the crossing.”