Written question asked by Joe Robertson (Conservative) on Wednesday, 13 May 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 18 May 2026. It was answered by Simon Lightwood (Labour) on Thursday, 21 May 2026 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Dartford-Thurrock Crossing: Tolls

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether loss of revenue from user charges at the Dartford Crossings is accounted for in the Department's finances.

Answer: The Government's preferred financing option at this stage is the Regulated Asset Base (RAB) model. Under the RAB model, ownership and operations of the Dartford Crossing would transfer to a new regulated private sector entity, which would be responsible for operating and maintaining both the Dartford Crossing and the new Lower Thames Crossing, ensuring a consistent and reliable service. This entity will be overseen by a regulator to ensure it performs and protects users. Charges from the Dartford Crossing and the new Lower Thames Crossing would be received by the regulated entity under this model. This means charges will be used to meet the costs of providing and operating the Crossings. This approach brings in private capital to fund the majority of construction, which will deliver value for taxpayers and reduce the overall pressure on public budgets. The Department has built the effect of this into its financial forecasts.

Secondary information