Media release
4th August 2017

Distribution of merseyflow windscreen stickers underway

Over 16,000 merseyflow stickers are being sent out to addresses across the north west to give people discounts on tolls/charge across the Mersey Gateway Bridge and the Silver Jubilee Bridge.

After opening registration on July 17th, the merseyflow team has registered 16,000 vehicles on to the tolling system, ensuring those vehicles' owners will receive discounted or free travel across the two bridges.

Merseyflow is urging people to register now to beat the rush when the Mersey Gateway Bridge opens in the autumn.

Staff at the merseyflow post room are now working hard to ensure everyone who has registered a vehicle gets their sticker as quickly as possible.

Anthony Alicastro, who is Chief Executive Officer of emovis operations (Mersey) Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of emovis, which runs the merseyflow operation, said so far about 1,500 stickers had been sent out, with more being posted every day.

"It's been an extremely busy and successful few weeks as the team works hard to ensure everyone who registers online, in person or over the phone is added to the system," he said.

"The interest we've had from people registering is phenomenal, but it does mean we have been exceptionally busy. As a result, there have been some minor delays in sending stickers out to our customers.

"I'd like to thank everyone who's registered for their patience, and want to assure them that they will get their sticker soon.

"The bridge will be opening soon and we want as many people as possible to register with us, and get the discounts they're entitled to."

The specially-designed merseyflow stickers go on the inside of your car's windscreen and should be placed high up in the centre of the windscreen close to the rear view mirror.

Merseyflow has prepared two videos to help demonstrate how you should install the sticker in your car, and a separate leaflet that outlines the process.

The stickers are approximately 3.5 inches by 1 inch in size, and feature a microchip that is read by the merseyflow gantry every time you travel underneath it.

While the sticker does feature a bar code, this is not scanned by the gantry. The sticker should be placed with this bar code facing into your vehicle.

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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