News release
2017-10-11
Mersey Gateway Bridge tolls/charges start at just after midnight on Saturday 14th October
At just after midnight on Saturday 14th October the Mersey Gateway Bridge will open to traffic for the first time.
As soon as it opens tolls/charge will be enforced by dedicated cameras on the toll/charge gantry scanning vehicle number plates and special merseyflow stickers.
So far over 82,000 vehicles have been registered for discounts on tolls/charges, and people can still register after the new bridge is open, or pay for one-off crossings in advance or by 11.59pm the day after they travel.
If you live in Halton and are eligible for the local user discount you need to pay a £10 annual fee and register with merseyflow to guarantee your unlimited personal crossings at no extra cost for a 12-month period.
Registering with merseyflow is the only way to get discounts on your trips, or if you’re eligible, free personal travel once you have paid your relevant administration fee.
The quickest way to register is online using www.merseyflow.co.uk, but you can also register in person at our Runcorn walk-in centre, or over the phone on 01928 878 878, both are open 8am - 8pm weekdays, and 9am - 6pm weekends and bank holidays.
A temporary walk-in centre is available at the Halton Direct Link, Brook Street, Widnes. This is open between 9am – 5.30pm Monday to Friday, and 9am – 1pm Saturday. This facility will close at 5.30pm on Friday 13th October.
If you don’t register with merseyflow and cross the new bridge, you will need to pay the full toll/charge rate by 11:59pm the day after you travel, or face a penalty charge notice of up to £60.
The unregistered toll/charge rates are: £2 per trip for cars, £6 per trip for light goods vehicles and £8 per trip for heavy goods vehicles. Motorbikes and local buses are not subject to tolls/charge.
Last minute registration
If you have successfully registered with merseyflow but do not receive your sticker before the bridge opens, you will be able to use the bridge for up to 7 days before your sticker arrives.
The system will recognise you have registered and the fee for your crossing will be deducted from your account.
You will not be charged extra for any crossings made during this 7-day period.
Once you receive your sticker please attach it to your windscreen as soon as possible.
Anthony Alicastro, Chief Executive Officer of emovis operations (Mersey) Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of emovis, which runs the merseyflow operation, said: “I would urge anyone who has yet to sign up with merseyflow to register as soon as possible.
“Our records show that while thousands of eligible Halton residents have signed up for their local user discount, there are still some people who are eligible and live in Halton who have chosen not to.”
“It’s really important that eligible local residents remember that in order to qualify for your unlimited personal journeys across the bridge you will need to register with us and pay a £10 annual administration fee.”
David Parr, Chief Executive of Halton Borough Council and the Mersey Gateway Crossings Board, said: “After a lot of hard work the bridge is nearly ready to open. “It will provide quicker and easier trips for people travelling through Halton and the wider north west region, getting commuters to work quicker, improving business reliability and allowing families to enjoy the area without facing unpredictable delays. “Remember, if you live in Halton and are eligible for the local user discount, you must register with merseyflow before you cross the bridge.” To register with merseyflow please visit www.merseyflow.co.uk, to find out more about the bridge project visit www.merseygateway.co.uk
How to register
There are various ways to sign up:
- 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.
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.
Once registered, you will receive a merseyflow sticker to place in your registered vehicle’s windscreen.
A guide outlining exactly where to place the sticker on your windscreen is also available.
When the new bridge opens the Silver Jubilee Bridge will be closed for around a year to road traffic for refurbishment.