THURROCK TOLLS DISCOUNT CONFIRMED

Thurrock MP's Andrew Mackinlay and Angela Smith have welcome today's confirmation that local residents will pay just 20pence when the new Dartford River Crossing tolls on the M25 come into force later this year. 

Transport Minister Rosie Winterton today announced the outcome of a further consultation following the Government's "in principal agreement" of the local discount in February. 

Angela Smith said: This is real victory for all those people who supported our campaign by writing letters, sending back campaign postcards and supporting the Gazette petition.  I'm delighted by this result".

Andrew MacKinlay added: "This is great news. At last we've finally got the discount confirmed.  From this autumn, Thurrock people will pay just 20pence to use the crossing. 

"The reason this has taken so long is because the bureaucrats didn't want it!  They have tried at every turn to subvert our campaign with delays and a further needless consultation. 

"We won because the MP's worked together.   Howard Stoate, Angela Smith and I were resolute.   We weren't going to be fobbed off or allow backsliding.  We kept the pressure on Ministers to deliver and they have.

Local Campaigner Cllr Carl Morris said:-

"These things are never easy. Make no mistake about it, this has been a hard won victory and the best answer to the sceptics who thought it would never happen.

 "Andrew MacKinlay and Angela Smith worked tremendously hard because they were determined to win for the people of Thurrock.  Andrew, Angela and Dartford MP Howard Stoate deserve tremendous credit for their hard work. 

"Every time the bureaucrats tried to put obstacles in the way or back peddle on the discount, MacKinlay was on to it straight way banging on Minister's doors, stopping them in the lobbies and corridors of Parliament making sure they didn't buckle.

"Andrew, in particular put in hundreds of hours of effort and expended a huge chunk of political capital to make sure our discount was delivered; but it's all now been worth it".