THE introduction of free-flow tolling at the Thurrock-Dartford river crossing has been delayed.

The Highways Agency announced today that the number-plate recognition system - which will replace the need for motorists to stop at the crossing's toll booths - will not come into effect until late November.

The £62million system, named Dart Charge, was due to be switched on next month.

But roads bosses say that the delay will give drivers more time to prepare for the changes and enable the system to be fully tested before its introduction.

Nigel Gray, Highways Agency project manager, said: "Dart Charge is a massive change for drivers using the Dartford Crossing and it’s only right that it is thoroughly tested before being introduced.

"We want to help drivers to be ready for the improvements we’re making at the Crossing. That’s why we are saying today that Dart Charge will start during late November. 

"We can reassure drivers that we’ll give them plenty of notice before the changes are introduced. They will have considerable time to sign up for a pre-pay account, which for most will be the easiest and cheapest way to pay the charge – with discounts of up to a third on every crossing."

Dart Charge will use cameras - housed in gantries above the exit to the QEII Bridge and entrance to the tunnels - to identify whether or not vehicles have paid for the crossing.

Motorists will have to pre-pay for the trips over the phone, online, at specific shops or by post. Those who haven't paid to use the crossing in advance will have until midnight of the day of the trip.

Motorists are being urged to set up pre-pay accounts in due course as that will be cheapest, though the Highways Agency is yet to issue any guidance on how those accounts are set up.

The website, systems and infrastructure needed to operate these new arrangements have been installed and are currently being tested to ensure that they operate reliably and are easy to use. 

Until Dart Charge goes live, the current payment arrangements for the road user charge at the Crossing will continue - cash at the Crossing, through a DART-Tag or local residents account.