A GOVERNMENT minister has praised freeflow tolling at the Dartford Crossing, saying there has been a “huge increase in speed”.

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin visited the crossing to review the progress of the freeflow scheme with Thurrock MP Jackie Doyle-Price and Dartford MP Gareth Johnson.

The Highways Agency says freeflow, the replacement of booths with an automated system, has cut times by nine minutes for southbound journeys and four minutes for northbound journeys.

Mr McLoughlin said: “It’s been very successful in the initial stages. It’s not just about speed, it’s about capacity and minimising delays and we are definitely reducing queues.”

Asked if the freeflow scheme should have been more successful, Mr McLoughlin said: “I think it’s working. Look at it – the bridge is almost flowing.”

He was also asked if plans for the second bridge would be put on hold, if the scheme were judged to be successful.

He said: “We have people consulting on two other routes, and that is something we’ve got in mind.”