A282 Trunk Road PCN

snips86x

snips86x

snips86x

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Back on 20th November I drove to pick up my brother from uni and bring him home for the weekend. On leaving Colchester, I re-joined the M25 in the wrong direction - I was joining from the A12.

Instead of going anti-clockwise, I was going clockwise and found myself going across the QE2. I had my suspicions about this crossing being chargeable but at no point did I see any signs alluding to this - It was dark, I was seriously annoyed at going the wrong way round the M25 so I could well have missed it - traffic was somewhat horrendous.

So my question is, is there a way around paying for this charge? I certainly don't feel it's very well signed and I rarely venture this far south.
 
No signs? There are massive signs on the run up to both the bridge and tunnels.

Suck it up, you could have even checked when you got home and paid the toll retrospectively, which you didn't do either.
 
Crossing between 10pm and 6am is free.

Living near Dartford gives you some free crossings.

Loads of signs even at night.

You can also leave the M25 after the A12 and before the bridge. Maybe take more notice of your surroundings when you're driving.

Andi.
 
paradigm said:
No signs? There are massive signs on the run up to both the bridge and tunnels.

Suck it up, you could have even checked when you got home and paid the toll retrospectively, which you didn't do either.
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RJC said:
All the signage has the large capital C on it and the lanes have this on as well.

The crossing is free from 10pm to 6am and chargeable all other times.

https://www.gov.uk/pay-dartford-crossing-charge
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Like I said, I didn't even know it was chargeable until the PCN came through. There are 2 signs on the approach from the M25 to the A282. One telling you
there is a manned booth ahead and the other is the prices. At no other point are there notices advising you it's chargeable. I know the tunnel is chargeable but the bridge, I had no idea.

I'd also like to make it clear I've done this run before and it's been fine and never taken the QE2. This time round was a wrong turn re-joining the M25 to checking my journey beforehand isn't required.
 
Not seeing the signs (or not seeing which way you were joining the M25) doesn't excuse the fact that you owe the charge. In fact all it actually highlights is that your spatial awareness is a bit cack.
 
snips86x said:
Like I said, I didn't even know it was chargeable until the PCN came through.
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snips86x said:
There are 2 signs on the approach from the M25 to the A282. One telling you
there is a manned booth ahead and the other is the prices.
Click to expand...

snips86x said:
I had no idea.
Click to expand...

:p What did you think the prices on the sign meant?

Edit: Also, there are at least 2 junctions before the bridge after joining from the A12, you could have just turned around once you realised you were headed southbound?
 
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snips86x said:
Maybe you should re-read it



'Manned Booths' - there weren't any
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What difference does that make? You clearly saw the signs, you are even reciting how many there were and what they said! :p

There are also multiple exits before the bridge after the point at which you joined....
 
Jez said:
What difference does that make? You clearly saw the signs, you are even reciting how many there were and what they said! :p

There are also multiple exits before the bridge after the point at which you joined....
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Look...I don't drive in or around London frequently at all...never if I can bloody well help it.

The fact of the matter is I was expecting manned booths to pay a toll which I would have happily done. However, there were none! As for the exits, I new which exit I required to get off the M25 but that doesn't mean I know which exit to get off of to avoid a supposed toll.

I was asking for assistance not scrutiny...:(
 
  • You started by saying you were not aware that it was even chargable.
  • You then say you saw the signs, were able to recite what they said and the prices they displayed.
  • Then you say that you did know it was chargeable and were even expecting a manned booth to pay at.
Conclusion: You went through a toll and didn't pay it, what assistance do you want with that? :p
 
Jez said:
  • You started by saying you were not aware that it was even chargable.
  • You then say you saw the signs, were able to recite what they said and the prices they displayed.
  • Then you say that you did know it was chargeable and were even expecting a manned booth to pay at.
Conclusion: You went through a toll and didn't pay it, what assistance do you want with that? :p
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1. I think this is fairly valid. While there are signs with pricing/toll information, they're not clear to the assumption could still stand that it's not obvious.

2. I did indeed yes and had to remind myself by checking GoogleMaps. The point still stands that it's not obvious the bridge is chargeable considering the signs are not clear at all.

3. I've clearly not worded it correctly and I'm pretty ****ed off - forgive me if you will....
 
It is frustrating getting a charge but there are signage with the C for congestion charge on showing the times as you go over the bridge and also before the bridge.

What was the original junction you needed to get off at?

If you have a look at part of this video below (not the greatest)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMhns6O_kEs

Have you tried phoning them as on some occasions they have honored the £2.50 fee with a small admin charge.
 
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I don't recall seeing that sign :/

I didn't even mean to go that way round. I made the assumption that joining the M25 south would take me the way I came but it clearly didn't. I was meant to go anti-clockwise from the A12 not clockwise.
 
The signs are there, if you didn't see them then it means you weren't paying enough attention. Pay the fine, pay more attention and move on with your life. You made a mistake, we all do from time to time
 
snips86x said:
I don't recall seeing that sign :/

I didn't even mean to go that way round. I made the assumption that joining the M25 south would take me the way I came but it clearly didn't. I was meant to go anti-clockwise from the A12 not clockwise.
Click to expand...

Hmm, driving without due care and attention?

Andi.
 
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