Explanatory note

These Regulations amend the Dartford-Thurrock Crossing Regulations 1998 (SI 1998/1908) (the “1998 Regulations”).

Regulation 3 inserts definitions of “east tunnel” and “west tunnel” into the 1998 Regulations.

Regulation 4 substitutes regulation 2(1) of the 1998 Regulations. It applies the prohibition on vehicles that exceed the dimensions or weights specified in the table to the lengths of road described in the Schedule. The table, as amended, creates a distinction between the overall vehicle height restriction that applies in the west and east tunnels. The height restriction for the west tunnel is rounded down from 4.87 to 4.80 metres to facilitate the introduction of regulatory road signs (which require rounding to the nearest three inches where both metric and imperial measurements are shown.) The height restriction for the east tunnel of 5.03 metres reflects its ability to accommodate taller vehicles than the west tunnel. The permissible total weight limit for a vehicle using the tunnels or the bridge is increased from 38,000 kilograms to 44,000 kilograms. Contravention of this regulation is an offence under section 29(c) of the Dartford-Thurrock Crossing Act 1988 (the “1988 Act”).

Regulation 5 substitutes regulation 4(1) of the 1998 Regulations. The table sets out the charges (in addition to the road user charge) that apply when a vehicle of the specified dimensions uses the tunnels with the permission of the crossing operator. Refusal or failure to pay such charges without reasonable excuse is an offence under section 29(a) of the 1988 Act. Such charges for the use of the bridge are abolished.

Regulation 6(a) amends regulation 5(1) of the 1998 Regulations and applies the prohibition on vehicles carrying certain dangerous goods to the lengths of road described in Parts I and II of the Schedule. Use of those roads by such vehicles without the permission of the crossing operator is an offence under section 25(3) of the 1988 Act.

Regulations 6(b) and 7 amend regulations 5(3) and 6 respectively of the 1998 Regulations and update the reference to Table A of Chapter 3.2 of Part 3 of Annex A to the European Agreement Concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road to the edition applicable from 1st January 2013 (a copy of which can be downloaded without charge from http://www.unece.org/trans/danger/publi/adr/adr2013/13contentse.html or obtained in hard copy from the Highways Agency, NDD South East, Federated House, London Road, Dorking RH4 1SZ).

Regulation 8 revokes regulation 11 of the 1998 Regulations.

Regulation 9 substitutes the Schedule and defines the lengths of road made subject to the restrictions in regulations 2(1) and 5(1) of the 1998 Regulations, as amended by these Regulations.

A full regulatory impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as it has neglible impact on the costs of business. An Explanatory Memorandum is available alongside the instrument on the UK legislation website, www.legislation.gov.uk.