Media release
23 August 2017
People across UK registering with merseyflow
People from right across the UK are signing up for a merseyflow account, ahead of the new bridge opening.
In just over one month since registration for merseyflow opened more than 29,000 vehicles have been registered by more than 24,000 people, and it's not just Halton residents that are signing up.
While Runcorn and Widnes are the most popular postcodes for people registering for merseyflow, data shows people from Plymouth to Aberdeen have registered, with several thousand registering from the north west region.
Runcorn is the most popular location for registrations, while Widnes is a close second.
Here's a breakdown of the top 10 areas for registrations so far:
- Runcorn
- Widnes
- Liverpool
- Warrington
- St Helens
- Prescot
- Chester
- North Wales
- Cheshire
- Wirral
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 busy first month, but said there were still plenty of people who are likely to use the bridge regularly and could benefit from discounts.
"To see we have people signing up from the length and breadth of the country is great news," he said.
"But we know there are still thousands of people across the region who could benefit from discounts who have yet to register with merseyflow, and thousands of eligible Halton residents who have not yet registered for their local user discount.
"I'd urge everyone who uses the bridge to register with merseyflow as quickly as possible. The opening of the bridge draws nearer every day, and as soon as an opening date is announced we expect to be even busier."
There are a number of ways to register with merseyflow, and while www.merseyflow.co.uk is the fastest method, you can also register over the phone, by visiting the walk-in centre at Manor Park, Runcorn, or visiting the temporary walk-in centre at Halton Direct Link, Widnes.
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
There are various options for registration:
- Online at www.merseyflow.co.uk, which is the quickest option
- By phone on 01928 878 878, or
- At 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 between 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.
When the new bridge 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.