1. This Order may be cited as the A282 Trunk Road (Dartford-Thurrock Crossing Charging Scheme) Order 2008 and shall come into force on 15th November 2008, and shall remain in force indefinitely.
2. In this Order—
(1) all measurements of distance are measured along the route of the relevant highway;
(2) “the plan” means the plan marked “The A282 Trunk Road (Dartford-Thurrock Crossing Charging Scheme) Order 2008”, signed by authority of the Secretary of State for Transport, and deposited at DfT Records Management Branch, Floor 13 (IMD), Ashdown House, St Leonards on Sea, Hastings, East Sussex TN37 7GA; and
(3) “local resident” means a person who permanently resides in the borough of Dartford or Thurrock.
(4) From 2200 hours on the 15 November 2008 the length of highway set out in Schedule 1 (“the Crossing”) and indicated on the plan, shall become subject to the charging regime set out in Schedule 2.
(5) The charging regime set out in Schedule 2 may be varied by the Secretary of State in the time and manner set out in Schedule 3.
3. The charging regime shall apply to all classes of motor vehicles using the highway described in Schedule 2 with the exception of those motor vehicles set out in Schedule 4.
4.—(1) The Secretary of State (or his agent) may enter into agreements (“composition agreements”) under which persons compound in advance, on such terms as may be provided by the agreement, for the payment of charges on a motor vehicle with respect to the use of the Crossing.
(2) The composition agreement may relate to use on such number of occasions, or during such period, as may be provided by the agreement, and may provide for a reduction to the charges set out in Schedule 2.
(3) Any composition agreement as described in (1) offered by the Secretary of State or his agent must be offered on the same terms to all persons seeking to enter a composition agreement in relation to the use of the Crossing.
5.—(1) The Secretary of State (or his agent) may enter into agreements (“local resident’s agreement”) under which local residents may compound in advance, on such terms as may be provided by the agreement, for the payment of charges on the motor vehicle specified in that Agreement, with respect to the use of the Crossing.
(2) A local resident’s agreement may relate to use on such number of occasions, or during such period, as may be provided by the agreement, and may provide for a reduction to, or exemption from, the charges set out in Schedule 2.
(3) Any local resident’s agreement as described in (1) offered by the Secretary of State or his agent must be offered on the same terms to all persons seeking to enter a local resident’s agreement in relation to the use of the Crossing.
6. Nothing in this Order shall prevent the Secretary of State from suspending this Order at any time when such suspension is considered necessary for the purpose of facilitating the movement of traffic or in the interests of the safety of the public.
7. The A282 Trunk Road (Dartford- Thurrock Crossing Charging Scheme) Order 2002(1) is revoked.
Signed by authority of the Secretary of State for Transport
Martin Jones
A Divisional Director
Highways Agency
21st July 2008