3. Dartford tunnel charge
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thomas57028

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Dartford tunnel charge
« on: April 10, 2024, 08:37:46 am »
So I crossed the dartford tunnel twice on Sunday the 7th April,

I used to have an Autopay account which now mysteriously doesn’t exist? So I’ve tried to log into my account on the 7th and 8th with no luck, so I sent them an email (see attached) and also ended up getting my mum to add me to her autopay on the 9th as I was unable to then create an account as their system doesn’t send me a confirmation text or other people…

I phoned up their support number this morning (10th) and tried to sort this payment issue out and they said I will receive two fines (I believe £70 each) and there is nothing I can do about it.

Please give me some advice on what to do

Thanks
Tom
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Incandescent

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Re: Dartford tunnel charge
« Reply #1 on: April 10, 2024, 10:52:48 am »
Not much we can do until you receive the PCNs, but may I ask why you just didn't go into their payment pages and just pay for the car crossings ?

When was the Autopay account last used ? Reason to ask is that they had a change of management, (I think it was 2022 or 2023), and also systems and there was considerable chaos at the time.
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thomas57028

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Re: Dartford tunnel charge
« Reply #2 on: April 10, 2024, 12:42:57 pm »
I wanted to do it through my account as I knew I had an autopsy set up, and I honestly just didn’t think to do it not logged in until it was too late… The autopay would’ve been last used in 2022 I think, cannot say for sure but definitely not in a long while
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Incandescent

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Re: Dartford tunnel charge
« Reply #3 on: April 10, 2024, 01:43:05 pm »
Just to let you know, in case they prove to be obdurate, their PCNs are unlawful and have been since they came under notice at a 2018 adjudication at the Traffic Penalty Tribunal, (see file attached)

At the moment, it might be best to call them again, and tell them that you last used your Autopay account in 2022, so what has been changed to make it impossible for you to open your account.
« Last Edit: April 10, 2024, 01:47:23 pm by Incandescent »
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thomas57028

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Re: Dartford tunnel charge
« Reply #4 on: April 10, 2024, 02:22:13 pm »
I have just paid £10 onto the car, is it now worth calling them to get them to drop it?
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Incandescent

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Re: Dartford tunnel charge
« Reply #5 on: April 10, 2024, 06:44:55 pm »
DART are usually much more reasonable in their dealings with motorists and unpaid tolls, and with you being an Autopay account holder, should really go the extra mile, as it's clear you did not intend to avoid payment. However that was the old regime and the jury is still out on this new mob.

I would certainly call them again, you might get a result. You need to make sure they fully understand why you had a problem paying.
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thomas57028

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Re: Dartford tunnel charge
« Reply #6 on: April 12, 2024, 11:14:07 am »
I have spoke and they’ve said there is nothing they can do until I receive the PCN, from there I can call them and question it and hopefully get it dropped
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BigBazz45

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Re: Dartford tunnel charge
« Reply #7 on: April 13, 2024, 01:15:42 am »
The Dartford Crossing switched payment providers towards the end of July 2023, which required everyone to revalidate their payment details.

If the OP failed to do that, it would explain why the Autopay failed.
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Incandescent

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Re: Dartford tunnel charge
« Reply #8 on: April 13, 2024, 01:32:30 am »
Quote from: BigBazz45 on April 13, 2024, 01:15:42 am
The Dartford Crossing switched payment providers towards the end of July 2023, which required everyone to revalidate their payment details.

If the OP failed to do that, it would explain why the Autopay failed.
Thanks for the info. Do you know how this need to revalidate their account was conveyed to the users.
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cp8759

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Re: Dartford tunnel charge
« Reply #9 on: April 16, 2024, 09:31:51 am »
Quote from: Incandescent on April 13, 2024, 01:32:30 am
Thanks for the info. Do you know how this need to revalidate their account was conveyed to the users.
I got several emails about it and I don't even have an autopay account, just a pre-pay one.

@thomas57028 I suggest you pay for two crossings now, then write to dart charge (by whatever means, twitter, email, their website if it has a contact form) asking them to allocate those payments to those two crossings. They might not, but later on you'll have proof that you were trying to pay. I appreciate you made a phone call, but unless you have a recording phone calls don't count.
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I practice law in the Traffic Penalty Tribunal, London Tribunals, the First-tier tribunal for Scotland, and the Traffic Penalty Tribunal for Northern Ireland, but I am not a solicitor nor a barrister. Notwithstanding this, I voluntarily apply the cab rank rule. I am a member of the Society of Professional McKenzie Friends, my membership number is FM193.

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mickR

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Re: Dartford tunnel charge
« Reply #10 on: April 16, 2024, 09:46:50 am »
Quote from: Incandescent on April 13, 2024, 01:32:30 am
Quote from: BigBazz45 on April 13, 2024, 01:15:42 am
The Dartford Crossing switched payment providers towards the end of July 2023, which required everyone to revalidate their payment details.

If the OP failed to do that, it would explain why the Autopay failed.
Thanks for the info. Do you know how this need to revalidate their account was conveyed to the users.
I don't recall having to do that nor any communication from Dart about it and my account is and has been working perfectly well.
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Martyn21uk

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Re: Dartford tunnel charge
« Reply #11 on: April 16, 2024, 03:08:41 pm »
For what it is worth, this is what I received from Dartford Crossing about revalidating details in 2023

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zzzatang

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Re: Dartford tunnel charge
« Reply #12 on: April 16, 2024, 04:54:18 pm »
They had issued during the migration, it was all over the news.

People were unable to update their details even on and a few days after DART were asking people to update their details.

OP could have potentially tried to update and given up due to those tech issues during the migration.
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cp8759

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Re: Dartford tunnel charge
« Reply #13 on: April 21, 2024, 03:29:04 pm »
@thomas57028 are you still with us?
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I practice law in the Traffic Penalty Tribunal, London Tribunals, the First-tier tribunal for Scotland, and the Traffic Penalty Tribunal for Northern Ireland, but I am not a solicitor nor a barrister. Notwithstanding this, I voluntarily apply the cab rank rule. I am a member of the Society of Professional McKenzie Friends, my membership number is FM193.

Quote from: 'Gumph' date='Thu, 19 Jan 2023 - 10:23'
cp8759 is, indeed, a Wizard of the First Order

thomas57028

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Re: Dartford tunnel charge
« Reply #14 on: April 22, 2024, 12:09:47 am »
Yes I’m still here, awaiting the PCN’s. I have managed to pay £10 of credit to my account to help my case and still unable to create an account
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