A MP has promised to take up the fight to improve congestion at the notorious Dartford Crossing.

Jackie Doyle-Price, Conser-vative MP for Thurrock, said she had made it clear to ministers people living near the Thames crossing should be first to feel the benefits of any improvements.

The toll is due to rise this year for cars from £1.50 to £2, then in 2012 from £2 to £2.50.

While ministers pledged to look into removing the toll barriers and launching a new payment system to ease traffic jams at the busy crossing, previous promises to plough the new revenue back into the site and to build a new crossing have been broken.

Roads minister Mike Penning said in November the increased tolls would pay for improvements at Thurrock, but in December said the money would go into a national pool.

Mrs Doyle-Price said: “Motorists in Thurrock and south Essex should be first in the queue to benefit from funds made available from the tolls for transport improvements.

“It is frankly unacceptable the Thurrock road network is often gridlocked due to problems arising from the M25 and the Dartford Crossing.”

The Essex Federation for Small Businesses has called on all local MPs to tackle congestion at the crossing.

Ian Wicks, chairman of the federation, said: “We understand it will cost about £10million to remove the toll booths and replace them with technology to allow people to pay the tolls electronically.”