Halton Borough Council has approved a series of amendments affecting toll charges, penalty notices, and user terms for the Mersey Gateway and Silver Jubilee bridges, set to take effect on April 1, 2025.
Toll Charge Increase
For the first time since the Mersey Gateway Bridge’s inauguration seven and a half years ago, toll charges will rise by 20%. Despite this increase, the cumulative toll rise remains below the Retail Price Index (RPI) inflation rate, which has reached 40% over the same period.
The updated toll charges for various vehicle classes are as follows:
| Vehicle Plan | Class 1 Vehicles | Class 2 Vehicles | Class 3 Vehicles | Class 4 Vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sticker-Registered | Free | £2.15 | £6.50 | £8.65 |
| Video-Registered | Free | £2.30 | £6.85 | £9.10 |
| Unregistered | Free | £2.40 | £7.20 | £9.60 |
Monthly pass prices will also see a proportional increase:
| Vehicle Type | Pass Type | Cost | Validity Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class 2 Vehicles | Unlimited Travel Pass | £110 | 24 hours a day |
| Class 2 Vehicles | Off-Peak Pass | £75 | 10 am – 4 pm, Monday – Friday 7 pm – 7 am, Monday – Friday All day on weekends and public holidays |
Registration for accounts and purchase of monthly passes can be completed exclusively through the Merseyflow website.
The bridge connects Widnes to Runcorn and is one of the best ways to get from Liverpool to Chester along with the Tunnels.
Future Toll Adjustments
Going forward, toll charges will be reviewed every three years, with adjustments made as necessary unless exceptional circumstances warrant more frequent changes.
Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) Updates
The standard PCN rate will increase from £40 to £50. Registered Merseyflow customers who settle their PCNs within 14 days will be eligible for a discounted rate of £25.
A new initiative allows unregistered customers receiving a PCN for the first time to pay the discounted £25 fee within 14 days, which will simultaneously cover account registration with Merseyflow and result in the cancellation of the initial PCN. This measure aims to encourage future compliance and offer discounted crossings.
Charge certificate fees will rise from £60 to £75, while enforcement fees remain unchanged, as they are governed by separate legislation.
Revisions to Merseyflow Terms and Conditions
Significant changes have been made to the Local User Discount Scheme (LUDS):
- Registration Fee: Increased to £12.
- Annual Renewal:
- Customers registered before April 1, 2025, without automatic renewal and payment setups will pay a £12 renewal fee.
- Those with automatic renewal and payment arrangements will benefit from a discounted £10 renewal fee.
- New registrants from April 1, 2025, will be automatically enrolled in auto-renewal with a £10 annual fee, provided they set up automatic payments.
- Plan Selection: Customers eligible for both the LUDS and Blue Badge plans must choose one, as dual registration is no longer permitted.
- Fair Use Policy: Introduced to monitor usage, this policy may require LUDS plan holders exceeding 900 crossings annually to provide evidence that their journeys are personal and not for business purposes.
Registered vehicle owners will receive detailed communications regarding these changes by the end of February 2025.
