A new poll released by Airport Parking & Hotels (APH) reveals 54% of motorists want more time to pay new automatic toll charges at Dartford Crossing – as almost 650,000 drivers receive fines of up to £105 in just six months.

Concerned by the possibility of customers incurring penalties while making their way to catch flights from airports around London, award-winning airport parking firm APH.com created an extensive advice section on its website and polled more than a thousand users on how they thought the system could be improved.

The poll was prompted after more than 220 comments were posted on the website with many drivers complaining they had fallen victim to inadequate signage and unrealistic time constraints for paying the toll,  which must be settled by midnight the following day.

Results revealed that a clear majority of 54% thought giving more time to pay the charge was the only way to improve the service and help cut the number of motorists being hit by fines of up to £105.

Seemingly appreciative of the improvement in travel times brought about by the automatic charging, just 16% of the respondents favoured a return to tolls being collected by staff in booths, while options that more information should be published in the press or sent with DVLA reminders were also shunned; with just 3% and 2% (respectively) in favour.

There was some overt support for the new system, though, with 3% of those who took the poll suggesting that drivers should stop moaning, take responsibility and get used to the new system.

Results in full: What would improve the Dartford Crossing toll system?

Taken from 1,150 votes on APH.com poll

For further information on Airport Parking and Hotels (APH) and the Dartford Crossing charging system,

Visit www.aph.com/community/holidays/dartford-crossing-new-charging-system-explained.

Notes To Editors

• Survey results taken from 1,150 votes on APH.com poll
• Forgot to pay the Dartford Crossing charge? Here's what to do: www.aph.com/community/blog/beat-late-payment-dartford-crossing

About Airport Parking and Hotels (APH)

Airport Parking and Hotels (APH) is the UK's award winning long stay airport parking operator and booking agency, after winning the Best Airport Parking Company for a fifth year running at British Travel Awards 2014. This year APH also celebrates its 35th year as a retailer and operator of pre-booked airport parking and travel extras. APH offers parking at all major UK airports as well as airport hotels packaged with parking and airport lounges. APH is also a carbon balanced company and has, through support of the World Land Trust, helped purchase more than 1,000 acres of endangered rainforest.

Media Enquiries

Sarah Salord / Lauren Hill / McCluskey International / 020 8747 2170 / aph@mccluskey.co.uk