Drivers fined millions by mistake over busy UK crossing

Millions in incorrect fines were mistakenly handed to drivers over a major route in the UK in 12 months, according to a new investigation.

Figures obtained by the PA news agency show National Highways cancelled 59,007 fines at the Dartford Crossing, which connects Thurrock in Essex with Dartford in Kent.

These penalty charge notices amount to £4.1m combined at the point of issue, as each cost £70, reduced to £35 if paid within 14 days.

Just 3,595 fines were issued in the previous 12 months, the year before National Highways switched to a new provider to manage payments there.

Dr Jenny Dunne, 64, was charged 34 times in the seven months to late April for crossings she didn't make, partly because a car with a number plate similar to hers - with a 3 instead of a 1 - was incorrectly identified.

"I had no idea what was happening. At the beginning I got quite upset," she said.

"I thought my number plate had been cloned so I contacted the police. It turned out the cameras were faulty. It's taken an awful lot of my time and wasted a lot of my energy."

A National Highways spokesman said it has apologised to Dr Dunne since discovering an article was being written.

Private firm Conduent was awarded a £150m contract by National Highways to manage crossing payments from 28 July last year.

After then, there were reports of drivers fined or charged when a vehicle with a similar plate used the crossing.

National Highways said it has "resolved the issues".

Crossings made between 6am and 10pm are chargeable and the fees - known as the Dart Charge - must be paid by midnight the day after the crossing.

Fines are given to those who do not pay, with automatic number plate recognition cameras detecting vehicles on the crossing.

Issues 'resolved'

More than 55 million journeys are made on the crossing each year, with about two million fines processed for non-payment, and the Dartford Crossing connects with the M25, one of the busiest motorways in Europe.

National Highways said there were "technical issues with the transition to the new service providers".

"We understand that anything associated with finances can be stressful, and we apologise for the inconvenience that these customers have faced," the group said.

"In the minority of circumstances where PCNs are issued in error, the charge will be cancelled as soon as a customer contacts us to let us know."

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The organisation also claimed they have "resolved" the issues and "seen the errors reduce to less than 1% of all PCNs issued".

Conduent declined to comment.