Tag Archives: payment

Dartford Crossing toll company advises against payment, then issues £2,230 fine

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Since November, I have been using my boss’s car for work and after crossing the Dartford junction of the M25 for the first time, I attempted to pay the Dart toll. The website clearly stated, “there are no crossing fees payable.”

I assumed that this meant my boss had the car registered to his Dart account, so I did not add it to my account.

Three months went by, and I started receiving penalty charge notices (PCNs). I currently have 23 PCNs totaling £2,230 for crossings between November 2023 and February 2024. I appealed, but all were rejected.

If the first PCN had been sent sooner, I would have accepted my mistake and paid the fee. However, I do not agree with the rest and it seems like a consequence of a management failure. I have since learned of others facing the same struggle. Can I be of assistance?

L.S., Tonbridge

In the weeks following our previous coverage of the Dart fee issue, we have received numerous letters from frustrated users, and yours is one of the most severe cases.

It seems that the chaos in the payment system resulted from a new company, Conduent, taking over in July.

Reports indicate that thousands of fines have been imposed, affecting over 2,500 vehicles per operator.

Figures obtained by Fleet News through a Freedom of Information request in May revealed a 50% increase in PCNs issued for non-payment.

We reached out to National Highways, who manage the crossing, regarding your case. They have agreed to waive the notices if you pay the £65 in crossing charges owed. The company also apologized for any inconvenience caused and stated they have improved their procedures to prevent similar issues in the future.

Always make sure to obtain and keep receipts for all payments when using a crossing to avoid issues.

It’s best to double-check and not assume everything is fine if you encounter an error message when paying for your trip.

If you have received a PCN, please contact the Dart Rate Enforcement Team at 0300 1313 120.

Letters are appreciated, but we are unable to respond individually. Please reach out to us at consumer.champions@theguardian.com or send correspondence to Consumer Champions, Money, the Guardian, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU. Kindly provide a daytime telephone number where you can be reached. Submission and publication of letters are subject to our terms and conditions.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Cool Payment: LA’s Reflective Material to Beat the Heat and Stay Cool

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In the Pacoima neighborhood of Los Angeles, Jose Damian, a street vendor for the past five years, braves temperatures of up to 105 degrees while selling Mexican snacks and shaved ice under the scorching midday sun. He recently experienced heat-related health issues when he felt dizzy and sweaty on his way to Sarah Coughlin Elementary School, prompting him to seek medical attention after losing all the salt in his body.

Residents in Pacoima have long endured extreme heat, with some taking multiple showers a day and struggling to stay cool due to the lack of trees and expensive air conditioning. The neighborhood holds the unfortunate title of being the hottest in Los Angeles and is disproportionately affected by heat-related illnesses, particularly in low-income communities of color like Pacoima.

A recent study shows that areas with a large Latino population, such as Pacoima, are significantly warmer than others in Los Angeles County. This disparity in temperature is exacerbated by the lack of tree canopies and green spaces in the neighborhood, further contributing to the heat island effect.

To combat the extreme heat, community organizations and local officials have joined forces to implement a cooling plan for Pacoima. Initiatives like the “Cool Pavement” project, in partnership with roofing manufacturer GAF, aim to reduce heat absorption in the neighborhood by repaving city blocks with solar reflective coating. This multi-year project not only helps cool the area but also adds vibrant murals and colored pavers to brighten up the community.

Source: www.nbcnews.com