Bridge driver has his toll fine overturned

A DRIVER who vowed not to pay a penalty charge notice he received after crossing the Mersey Gateway bridge has had his fine overturned.

Scott Smyth, 50, of Birkenhead, said the row with bridge tolls operator Merseyflow has been rumbling on since he received his initial fine in January.

He said that after receiving his initial notice in the post, he sent them a cheque only for it to be returned and Mr Smyth to be informed that ‘we don’t accept cheques’.

The fine has grown to £60 from the standard rate of £40 or £20 for early payment and he added that he is now being threatened with a county court judgement.

Mr Smyth has challenged their refusal of the cheque, arguing that it is legal tender and that he should have been sent a proper invoice.

He added that the signs displaying the information about the tolls and the need to pay before the midnight the following night are ‘inadequate’.

The driver said he is now going to file a counter claim for £10,000 due to ‘harassment’ from Merseyflow, and that he will bill it £200 for each letter he sends them.

Mr Smyth, who ran a bike shop until recently, said he had been driving in from the M53 and Wirral direction when he crossed the Mersey Gateway and missed the signs.

Speaking before the fine was scrapped, he said: “We couldn’t see any signs. To be fair we were lost, I wasn’t looking for any signs.

“I’ve sent them a cheque, it’s legal tender, they sent it back. I’ve had enough.”

A Merseyflow spokesman said: “We appreciate Mr Smyth originally attempted to pay for his toll charge by cheque, however, as this is not a payment method we accept, it was returned to him and no payment was taken.

“Having reviewed this, we have cancelled the penalty charge notice and the crossing charge with immediate effect.

“We apologise inconvenience.

“Toll charges can be paid for using a credit or debit card online at www.merseyflow. co.uk or by calling 01928 878 878, or by using cash at a Payzone outlet or at our Runcorn walk-in Centre.” ●● Royal protest: p8&9 for the