Mersey Gateway breaks the million barrier
● MORE than a million vehicles have travelled over Halton’s new Mersey Gateway Bridge since it opened fewer than three weeks ago with the first penalty charges also now being issued.
Tolls have been in force since the new bridge which links Runcorn and Widnes opened and around 65,000 to 70,000 vehicles are now using it every weekday as the crossing proves popular.
The new route covers nine kilometres between junction 12 of the M56 in Runcorn and Speke Road in Widnes.
Around 68% of the journeys in the initial period have been made by vehicles already registered with Merseyflow tolling system.
The first penalty charge notices (PCN) have now been issued.
The Merseyflow team has delayed issuing them as they have been taking extra time to check initial payments as customers get used to the new tolling system.
Drivers have a choice of either registering with Merseyflow, paying for their one-off journey up to a year in advance or paying for it by 11.59pm the day after they cross.
Halton Borough Council and the Mersey Gateway Crossings Board chief executive David Parr said: “We’re very pleased that so many people are using the new route in its first two weeks, and I’m particularly pleased with the feedback our team has had from a lot of ● people about the time it has saved them on their journeys.”
Anyone who is eligible for the Halton residents’ discount scheme must register and pay their £10 annual administration fee in order to claim their unlimited trips at no further cost. Anyone wherever they live can also register for a pre-pay account or monthly pass which both give discounts on the full unregistered toll fee.
It is still possible to cross the bridge without registering but those who do will have to pay the full unregistered toll fee which is £2 per car per crossing, with additional charges for larger vehicles.
The Silver Jubilee Bridge is now closed to road traffic for refurbishment for around 12 to 18 months.