Drivers using the toll bridges to cross the River Mersey in Halton are facing an increase in travel costs, after a 20% increase in charges.

The increase is the first of its kind in seven years, with car drivers being charged up to £2.40 per crossing.

Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) rates will also increase from £40 to £50, but anyone who pays within 14 days will be eligible for a discounted PCN rate of £25.

In a new scheme, unregistered customers who receive a PCN for the first time can choose to use the fine to open an account with ‘Merseyflow’ and have their PCN cancelled.

The Mersey Gateway Crossings Board say any future changes will be considered every three years unless there are exceptional circumstances.

For those signing up to a Local User Discount Scheme (LUDS), the cost of annual plan is increasing by 20% to £12 per year.

Although there will be a discount to £10 for eligible Halton residents who renew via auto renewal and set up auto payment.

Cllr Stef Nelson, Halton Borough Council’s portfolio holder for Environment and Urban Renewal, said: “This will be the first time that toll charges on the bridges have increased since the Mersey Gateway Bridge first opened back in 2017.

“I would encourage anyone who uses the bridges to register with merseyflow to get discounted crossings and make paying for your crossings as simple as possible. You can register online at www.merseyflow.co.uk.”

Mike Bennett, Managing Director of the Mersey Gateway Crossings Board, said: “Customers don’t need to do anything in advance as merseyflow’s systems will have the new costs built in for journeys made from 1 April, but we want to ensure that people are aware of the changes to toll charges and other scheme details that have been introduced.”

Emails or letters have been sent to all vehicle owners registered with toll operator merseyflow to inform registered customers of the changes.

Full details of the changes being made can be found here. 

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