Drivers have forfeited over £3.6 million in unused Dart Charge payments over the past two years, with the majority of these funds being retained by the Government. A recent Freedom of Information (FOI) request uncovered that £1,812,379 in Dart Charge payments went unused in the 2023/24 fiscal year, in addition to £1,790,559 from the preceding year, totaling £3,602,938 in unclaimed payments.
The Department for Transport (DfT) informed This is Money, who initiated the FOI request to National Highways, that the Government typically does not refund the expired payments, thus allowing them to be kept by the authorities. Dart Charge payments, which amount to £3.50 for each journey and are utilized by motorists to cross the Dartford Crossing connecting Essex and Kent, remain valid for a year before expiration.
Drivers have the option to request refunds for Dart Charges within the 12-month expiry period. In cases where Dart Charge accounts become inactive, any remaining funds are reimbursed to the account holder using the original payment method. The Dartford Crossing sees a daily influx of up to 180,000 vehicles.
A DfT spokesperson stated, “All Dart Charge revenue is channeled to the DfT and utilized for transport initiatives benefiting communities in Essex and Kent, such as the Lower Thames Crossing.” The Mirror reached out to the DfT for further input. AA president Edmund King highlighted the historical context of the Dartford Crossing tolls, which were initially intended to cease after covering construction expenses in 2003 but were retained by the government for traffic management and revenue purposes.
The introduction of charging schemes for major road infrastructure exceeding 600m was established under the Transport Act 2000, permitting the Highways Agency to continue toll collection for crossings. In September 2025, the Government hiked Dart Charge fees, marking the first increase since 2014. This decision coincided with the approval for the Lower Thames Crossing project, aimed at alleviating congestion at the Dartford Crossing.
The forthcoming crossing will link the A2 and M2 in Kent to the A13 and M25 in Essex through a 2.6-mile tunnel beneath the Thames, set to become the UK’s lengthiest road tunnel. Planning for this project, ongoing since 2009, has consumed over £800 million in taxpayer funds.