Dartford Crossing to be sold?

The site is already a bone of contention for motorists, after ministers promised it would be toll-free once the bridge was paid for. But when that happened in March 2003, the Government reneged on the deal, and tolls actually increased to £1.50 last year.

Predicted annual revenue is already expected to hit £76m, making it a tempting purchase. But the sale could scupper plans to build a second crossing. AA president Edmund King said: “One fear is that to safeguard income for the new owners, the second crossing will be cancelled.”

It’s not the only piece of British motoring real estate that could soon come under the hammer, either. The Highways Agency has had a valuation carried out on 20 Government-owned service stations - including the M1’s