The government’s plans to increase the tolls of the Dartford River Crossing have been described as disappointing by the Freight Transport Association, which has been pressing for tolls to be pegged.
The toll for HGVs will rise from £3.70 to £5 in October – and a second rise in 2014 will push it up to £6.
Transport minister Mike Penning said the money would be used to tackle congestion and deliver future improvement at the Dartford-Thurrock Crossing.
The FTA argues that there is no efficient alternative to the Dartford crossings and the toll rise was damaging to operators.
However, it welcomed plans to introduce a “free flowing” toll charging system to get rid of the queues at the charging plazas.