Work has begun to remove the payment booths as drivers switch to paying online, by phone or post or at one of thousands of retail outlets nationwide. Payment can be made in advance or by midnight the day after crossing.

Highways Agency project director Nigel Gray said: ‘Dart Charge will change journeys at the Dartford Crossing for the better. It will speed up journeys and ease congestion, generating big returns for the economy. It gives drivers more flexibility about how and when they pay the Crossing Charge. And it is helping more people than ever save up to a third on every crossing by setting up a pre-pay account with us – as more than 200,000 people already have.

‘We’re off to a good start, but this weekend’s launch of Dart Charge is just the beginning of a series of changes at the Crossing. Already this morning, the southbound carriageway has been cleared of the payment booths, but work on the northbound carriageway will take longer because of the safety considerations of the tunnels. I’d encourage drivers to plan ahead when they’re using the crossing so they’re up to date with any restrictions, and to drive with extra care through the roadworks.’

Paying the charge or setting up a Dart Charge account is quick and simple, taking less than seven minutes on average, and can be done from virtually any computer, tablet or smartphone. It can also be done by phone or post.

Work to remove the booths and improve the road layout will continue until spring 2015.