THURROCK drivers have been promised hefty reductions at the Dartford crossing when a price hike comes into force next year.

MPs celebrated the news and the hope the cut will be as high as 90 per cent when the toll increases to £1.50 from next January.

Yesterday Steve Ladyman, minister of State for Transport, broke the news at the bridge accompanied by Thurrock MP Andrew MacKinlay, Basildon and East Thurrock MP Angela Smith and Dartford MP, Dr Howard Stoate.

He said he would do his best to get as close as possible to a 90 per cent discount and thanked the people of Thurrock for expressing their views through a public petition. He said: "There was a tremendous input from local people, more than 10,000 people responded.

"This goes to show the Government has listened to the views of local people.

"This is a victory for common sense."

A delighted Mrs Smith said: "To get near to a 90 per cent discount is unprecedented.

"We don't disagree there has to be some form of congestion charge, but the discount for the people of Thurrock is fantastic."

Mr MacKinlay added: "This is a real win win result."

However, Tory Leo Milan-Vega, Thurrock's cabinet member for Highways and Transport, said: "This is a farce.

"These tolls should be free as they promised from the outset.

"This will only make pollution worse.

"We will wait to see if they actually implement a 90 per cent discount."

From 2008, it will cost Dart TAG users £1 to cross, while it will be free for everyone during quiet night-time periods.