On my FB page, theres a thread discussing how widely the amount and way of paying to go over the new bridge, is advertised. Many in Runcorn think publicity has been so intense and widely promoted, that they cant believe that people are crossing the bridge and getting fined for not paying properly.
Just curious , without looking it up , how many on here , actually know the method of payment and how much it costs? I have to hold my hand up and say I didnt have a clue .Have seen nothing advertised in my area at all.

There was an in depth information slot given to it on News North West, the day it opened.

There are various methods of paying but no toll booths. People can pay by phone, or drop into a number of places on the high street, to get their passes, pay or apply online. Such a widespread option, most for locals, and they get free crossing I understand. I also thought they said it was £2 each way for cars more for other vehicles.
With all that, I was still confused as to what visitors to the area do. Every car is tracked with number plate, so what do we do once we have crossed. Is there a phone number or do they send it through the post ? It all seemed very vague and completely confusing to me..... but then that's not unusual !
Probably the best bet is to contact Halton Council

You are confused granny, that was the point of my query, wondering just how many people ARE confused . How many people will have missed that program - or a little article in the paper ?My guess is that loads of folk on here wont know the finer details -- AND apparently , the charging system is shown on the Runcorn side, not our side according to the posts I read on FB.Its easy (not for everyone) although inconvenient to go on line to find out whats necessary if you know youre going to use the bridge but I wonder what you're supposed to do if you're a visitor from the south and hit upon the new bridge this side ?

Ideally there should be no charges for any form of road usage, what is road tax for - but it isn't going to happen.

We went over the bridge a couple of days after it opened and paid retrospectively - its not worth me paying £35 for advance registration, I don't intend to use it much (we came back through the tunnel).

I can safely say the software they use is a long way from ready. Here is the text from the recipt, the things I have overwritten are $$$ which are the registration number and financial bits.


Dear Mr. ANONYMOUS $$$$$
MERSEYFLOW PAYMENT RECEIPT

Thank you for contacting merseyflow.

Please see the details of your payment listed below:

Date and Time: 15/10/2017 17:09
Type: PURCHASE
Account Number: $$$$$$$

Payment Type: CREDIT
Card Type: VISA
Card Number: ************$$$$
Reference Number: $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
VRM No:$$$$$
FJ Number: $$$$$$
Amount: £2.00

Please be advised that you can see how much credit is against your vehicle registration by selecting the following link www.merseyflow.co.uk

If you require further information, visit our website, www.merseyflow.co.uk or alternatively you can telephone us on 01928 878 878, our opening hours are Monday to Friday 8:00am – 8:00pm and Weekends 9:00am – 6:00pm.

Yours sincerely
The Merseyflow Customer Service Team

The link they say to check your balance isn't a link at all and isn't correct for your balance, I entered my name so why they call me "anonymous" I have no idea.

It takes quite a bit of time to pay, I guess its easier to put a few journeys worth against your registration but as I have a number of vehicles I'd have to do it for each one.

Its a bit silly having the Merseygateway website but the payment website is Merseyflow????

The registration fee is ridiculous, whilst the fee is only £5 there is a minimum amount of £30 credit you have to put on as well.

I would say that the road link-ups to the bridge on the Runcorn side are excellent, the Widnes side seems a bit weird but that may not be fully sorted out yet.

didn't even know it was open. Is the old bridge still there and free?

Old bridge is closed for refurbishment (12 months?).

And when that opens, it will no longer be free either.

I think I'll wait for a thick fog to obscure the cameras before I venture over.

I didn't get a really good look but the cameras I saw were front facing, so if you tailgate something tall it might miss you.

Trouble is you can't tell until the fine doesn't come through the door.

Well, that's as clear as mud. Still none the wiser but not from your instructions DD.,just the whole process.

If I lost my way and went across by accident, being a stranger to the area, how would I know who or where to contact and how long would I be given to pay ? I don't even have a proper phone , just a silly little Tesco thing PAYG, which must be at least 12 years old now.

Within 24 hrs of crossing bridge you go on https://www.merseyflow.co.uk and pay £2 per trip you have done, giving the reg number of the car you crossed in.