MORE than half a million fines were given out to drivers who failed to pay the Dartford Crossing toll in the first six months after barriers were removed.

Toll barriers were removed on November 30, meaning crossing fees must now be paid by phone, online or in selected shops.

But in the first six months, 646,988 penalty charge notices were handed out at the bridge.

Of the Dartford fines, given out between November 30 and May 1, 114,767 were issued to owners of foreign-registered vehicles.

The agency has not disclosed how many foreign fines remain unpaid, amid concerns about being able to trace drivers from abroad.

A Highways England spokesman said it can take up to two months to obtain information by post about drivers from some foreign countries.

The new system requires drivers to pay their fee by midnight the day after using the bridge or tunnel crossing.

But some users have complained of poor signage approaching the site, while others claim to have been falsely sent penalty notices.

Edmund King, president of the AA, said: “We expect many drivers to incur penalties through not being aware of the scheme.

“And those who seek help with problems they have experienced with the ‘back office’ may get frustrated when problems are not resolved quickly or easily enough.

“We believe that, so far, only around 400 appeals have been considered by the Traffic Penalty Tribunal and thankfully, because of the teething problems, the vast majority of drivers are winning their cases.

“We expect appeals to ramp up in the coming months and if the authority does not act quickly to reduce errors it could be embarrassing.”

During the six months, 17.97 million journeys were made between 6am and 10pm, when charges are applied, meaning about one in 150 drivers were issued notices.

Drivers are fined £70 if they do not pay on time, which is reduced to £35 if paid within 14 days.