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. According to a recent Freedom of Information request, there were £1,812,379 in unused Dart Charge payments in the 2023/24 fiscal year, in addition to £1,790,559 from the previous year, resulting in a total of £3,602,938 in unclaimed payments.

The Department for Transport (DfT) informed This is Money, the entity that submitted the FOI request to National Highways, that the “vast majority” of these expired payments are not refunded and are consequently retained by the Government. Dart Charge payments, which are priced at £3.50 per crossing and are utilized by drivers to traverse the Dartford Crossing connecting Essex and Kent, remain valid for a 12-month period before expiration.

Drivers have the option to request a refund for Dart Charges within the 12-month expiration timeframe. For individuals with dormant Dart Charge accounts, any remaining funds are reimbursed back to the account holder through the original payment details. The Dartford Crossing accommodates up to 180,000 vehicles daily.

A spokesperson from the DfT affirmed that all Dart Charge revenue is remitted to the DfT and is allocated towards transportation projects benefiting residents in Essex and Kent, such as the Lower Thames Crossing. The Mirror has reached out to the DfT for further commentary.

The Dartford Crossing tolls were originally intended to cease once the construction costs of the bridge were covered, a milestone achieved in 2003. However, the government opted to maintain the charges to regulate traffic and as a revenue generator. The Transport Act 2000 introduced charging schemes for all trunk roads, bridges, and tunnels exceeding 600 meters, enabling the Highways Agency to continue imposing crossing fees.

In September 2025, the Government raised the Dart Charge, marking the first increase since 2014. This adjustment coincides with the approval of the Lower Thames Crossing project, aimed at alleviating congestion at the Dartford Crossing. The proposed new crossing will link the A2 and M2 in Kent to the A13 and M25 in Essex via a 2.6-mile tunnel beneath the Thames, set to be the UK’s longest road tunnel.

Planning for the Lower Thames Crossing project has been ongoing since 2009, with over £800 million of taxpayers’ money allocated towards the initiative.