Media release
27th July 2017
Busy first week for registrations as merseyflow gets up and running
During its first full week of operation the merseyflow team registered more than 9,000 people for bridge tolls/charges.
Thousands of people across Halton and the surrounding area have successfully registered using the merseyflow website, walk-in centre and call centre, with the total number growing every day.
The website remains the quickest way to register, anyone who has yet to register can do so at www.merseyflow.co.uk
Since opening for registrations at 8am on Monday, 17th July, 6,810 people have registered online, 1,277 people have registered at the walk-in centre, 924 people have registered over the phone, and 14 have registered by post.
Anthony Alicastro, who is Chief Executive Officer of emovis operations (Mersey) Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of emovis, which runs the merseyflow operation, said it had been a successful first week.
"We've seen a huge number of registrations, which is great news. It means our message about getting ready for when the new bridge opens is getting through," he said.
"I'd like to thank everyone for their patience during this first week. It's been a busy time as we get up and running.
"We've welcomed a huge number of people at our Runcorn walk-in centre.
"I'd like to remind people that the quickest and easiest method to register is online using our website, www.merseyflow.co.uk.
"If you haven't registered yet we would urge you to do so.
"The sooner you register with us the better, and it means you will be ready to travel on the new Mersey Gateway Bridge when it opens this autumn, and the Silver Jubilee Bridge once it has been refurbished."
As registrations have grown, there's been some positive feedback from people speaking with merseyflow.
Mr B, from Warrington, said his enquiry was handled in an "excellent way", while Miss B of Warrington said the lady she spoke to at the call centre was "patient, kind and efficient".
The merseyflow tolling system is being operated by emovis (www.emovis.com), a global leader in tolling solutions, and which successfully operates similar schemes in the UK, Canada and Ireland. emovis is 100% owned by abertis, the world's leader in highways management with more than 8,000 km of toll/charge roads under contract.
The quickest way to register is online at: www.merseyflow.co.uk, but you can also register over the phone and at our walk-in centre.
How to register
If you would like to register there are a number of ways to do it.
The website – www.merseyflow.co.uk – is the quickest option, but you can also contact the call centre on: 01928 878 878, or visit the walk-in centre at 9 Howard Court, Manor Park, Runcorn, WA7 1SJ.
Merseyflow is also running a temporary registration service at the Halton Direct Link on Brook Street in Widnes which began on 24 July and will run until the end of August.
The opening hours for the walk-in centre and call centre are 8am - 8pm weekdays, and 9am - 6pm weekends and bank holidays.
Registering is the only way to get discounts on journeys across the Mersey, or if you qualify, free travel across the bridges.
Anyone who is eligible for the Halton residents' discount scheme must register and pay their £10 annual fee in order to claim their free trips.
Anyone, wherever they live, can also register for a pre-pay account, or monthly pass which both give discounts on the full unregistered toll/charge fee.
It will still be possible to cross the bridges without registering but, if you do, you will have to pay the full unregistered toll/charge fee which is £2 per car per crossing, with additional charges for larger vehicles.
Blue Badge holders will also be able to register for unlimited travel on the bridges after providing copies of the front and back of their Blue Badge and paying a one-off £5 admin fee.
Once registered, you will receive a merseyflow sticker to place in your registered vehicle's windscreen.
This sticker means your vehicle will be recognised when you travel across the new bridge, and will ensure you do not receive a penalty charge notice as long as you have funds in your account.
A guide outlining exactly where to place the sticker on your windscreen is also available.
Merseyflow has produced a range of leaflets to help explain the registration process to people that live in Halton, as well as to residents living outside of the area.
The new bridge is expected to open this autumn. When it opens the Silver Jubilee Bridge will be closed to road traffic for up to 12 months while it is refurbished.
During this time the Silver Jubilee Bridge will remain open to pedestrians and cyclists.
Editors Notes:
More information about tolling is available at www.merseyflow.co.uk. Both the new Mersey Gateway Bridge and the existing Silver Jubilee Bridge will be tolled/charged.
You can find out more about the construction and history of the Mersey Gateway Project at www.merseygateway.co.uk.