Media release
3rd August 2017

Volunteer Lynda makes move to merseyflow

A former volunteer at the Mersey Gateway Visitor Centre at the Catalyst Museum was so interested in the Mersey Gateway Bridge project she has joined the merseyflow team.

Lynda Forshaw, from Runcorn, is helping people register for discounts on tolls/charges to cross the new Mersey Gateway Bridge and Silver Jubilee Bridge.

Over 14,000 people have registered with merseyflow and people are being urged to register now to beat the rush when the bridge opens.

When Lynda first saw an opportunity to become a Mersey Gateway volunteer, she jumped at the chance to learn more about the project and how it would help the community.

After working as a volunteer with the team at the Catalyst Centre for 16 months, Lynda, aged 66, saw a leaflet advertising for staff at merseyflow's Runcorn offices, in Manor Park.

It looked like the perfect opportunity to put her new-found knowledge of the bridge project to use, and with the help of her son she pulled together a CV and sent it in.

Just days later Lynda was offered a job working in the merseyflow post room.

"I was a bit shocked when I got the job, to be honest" Lynda said.

"It was a little daunting at first, as merseyflow and its team have only recently swung into full-time operation, but it's a fantastic atmosphere and a really friendly bunch of people.

"We're all committed to making sure we give the best possible service to people registering for tolls/charges, and there's a really strong team spirit among everyone, as we've all started at the same time."

Anthony Alicastro, who is Chief Executive Officer of emovis operations (Mersey) Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of emovis, which runs the merseyflow operation, welcomed Lynda to the team.

"We're building up a strong team here, with excellent local knowledge and a real interest in the benefits the Mersey Gateway Bridge will bring to the area," he said.

"We're looking for more enthusiastic, energetic people like Lynda to join the merseyflow team, if you're interested, head to the website and get in touch."

If you're interested in working at merseyflow, please visit the recruitment section of the website.

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.

The opening hours for the Runcorn walk-in centre and call centre are 8am - 8pm weekdays, and 9am - 6pm weekends and bank holidays.

Merseyflow is also running a temporary registration service at the Halton Direct Link on Brook Street in Widnes which will run until the end of August.

The opening hours of this registration point are 9am – 5.30pm Monday to Friday, and 9am – 1pm Saturday.

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.

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