The Mersey Gateway Bridge is a key crossing over the River Mersey, linking
Runcorn and
Widnes.
Officially opened in October 2017, this six-lane structure provides a critical alternative to the older Silver Jubilee Bridge. That bridge now requires a Merseyflow pre–pay account to cross — cash and unregistered Quick Pay aren’t accepted there.
Since opening, the crossing has required drivers to pay a toll. This is a fully cashless system using number-plate recognition – there are no toll booths. Overhead ANPR cameras photograph your number plate as you cross. The system then checks it against payments received, and if none is found by the deadline, a PCN is automatically issued to the registered keeper.
How much is the Mersey Gateway Bridge?
Following the first increase since 2017, tolls for the bridge rose by 20% on 1 April 2025. The rise reflects the ongoing cost of funding and maintaining the bridge. It needed £1.86bn to build and is required to pay for itself over its lifetime. Current toll rates are:
| Vehicle Type
| Unregistered Toll (One Way)
|
|---|
| Cars, vans, small trucks (Class 2)
| £2.40
|
| Trucks or buses (Class 3)
| £7.20
|
| Large trucks, HGVs and buses (Class 4)
| £9.60
|
| Motorcycles and local buses
| Free
|
Is the Mersey Gateway cheaper than the Mersey Tunnels?
The two crossings are now priced almost identically. From 1 April 2026, the Kingsway and Queensway
Mersey Tunnels cash toll for a car rises to £2.40 — the same as the Mersey Gateway’s Class 2 rate. Liverpool City Region residents with a T–FLOW pre–pay account pay just £1.60. Unlike the barrier–free Mersey Gateway, the tunnels use physical barriers, so you can’t accidentally cross without paying.
How do I pay the toll for the Mersey Gateway Bridge?
You can pay your toll in various ways:
- Online at
merseyflow.co.uk, 24 hours a day, by 11:59 pm the day after you use the bridge — this is the hard deadline, so there’s no separate grace period beyond it
- Via the Merseyflow Quick Pay app (iOS and Android) — store your vehicle and card details, pay with Apple Pay or Google Pay, set up auto–pay, and view your crossing and payment history to confirm a payment has gone through
- By phone on 01928 878 878 (Mon–Fri 8am–8pm, weekends and bank holidays 9am–6pm)
- In person at any of the roughly 10,000 Payzone retail outlets across the UK (find your nearest at payzone.co.uk)
- At the Merseyflow walk–in centre, Howard Court, Manor Park, Runcorn, WA7 1SJ — open Mon–Fri 9am–7pm, weekends and bank holidays 9am–6pm
- Pre–pay or register for an account with Merseyflow for discounted rates
- Local User Discount Scheme (LUDS) — Halton residents pay £12 annually (£10 with auto–renewal) for unlimited personal crossings
Foreign–registered vehicles are tolled the same way as UK vehicles. The ANPR system reads overseas plates too, and payments can be made online, by phone or via the app in exactly the same way.
What if I forgot to pay the toll?
Failure to pay on time triggers a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN):
- PCN increases from £40 to £50
- Pay within 14 days for a reduced rate of £25
- First-time unregistered users may apply the £25 towards registering with Merseyflow, cancelling the PCN entirely
Discounts and exemptions
- Blue Badge holders — free crossings on both the Mersey Gateway and Silver Jubilee bridges. You must register with Merseyflow and pay a one–off £5 fee first
- Halton residents (LUDS) — unlimited personal crossings for £12 a year (£10 with auto–renewal)
- Registered pre–pay accounts — save up to 10% versus unregistered Quick Pay rates
- Monthly passes — available to anyone with a car or small van (Class 2): choose an unlimited travel pass or a cheaper off–peak pass. Worthwhile for regular commuters making frequent crossings
Merseyflow contact details
Phone: 01928 878 878 (also usable to pay a toll or PCN, not just for enquiries) | Walk–in centre: Howard Court, Manor Park, Runcorn, WA7 1SJ | Online:
merseyflow.co.uk
Mersey Gateway Facts
Registered users – either pre-pay or through LUDS – benefit from discounted toll rates compared to unregistered Quick Pay options.
In June 2025, official figures showed 6.88 million crossings in the previous quarter, the highest number recorded since the bridge opened.
TLDR: Mersey Bridge Toll Summary
- No toll booths — cashless via ANPR number plate cameras
- Pay by 11:59 pm the day after crossing — a hard deadline with no additional grace period
- Heavy charges plus escalating penalties for non-payment
- Registration, passes and discount schemes offer convenience and savings
Mersey Gateway Toll FAQs
What is the toll for a standard car?
£2.40 one-way for unregistered users, from 1 April 2025.
Do motorcycles have to pay?
No. Motorcycles (and local buses) cross free of charge.
How do I avoid paying full toll rates?
Register with Merseyflow for pre-pay discounts, or join the LUDS if you’re a Halton resident. Alternatively, buy a monthly unlimited or off–peak pass if you cross regularly.
What happens if I don’t pay on time?
You’ll receive a PCN: £50 standard, or £25 if paid within 14 days. First-time unregistered users can apply the £25 to register instead.
Can I appeal a Mersey Gateway PCN?
Yes. You must first make a ‘representation’ directly to Merseyflow within 28 days of the PCN issue date. If Merseyflow rejects your representation, you can then appeal to the independent Traffic Penalty Tribunal, using the details provided in your Notice of Rejection.
Are Blue Badge holders exempt from the toll?
Blue Badge holders can cross both the Mersey Gateway and Silver Jubilee bridges for free. You must register with Merseyflow and pay a one–off £5 fee first.
Is there a Merseyflow monthly pass?
Yes. Anyone driving a car or small van can buy a monthly unlimited travel pass, or a cheaper off–peak pass. Both are valid on the Mersey Gateway and Silver Jubilee bridges — worth considering if you cross more than a few times a week.
Does the toll for the Silver Jubilee Bridge work the same way?
Yes, the Silver Jubilee Bridge shares the same Merseyflow toll system and rates as the Mersey Gateway. Note it requires a registered pre–pay account – unregistered Quick Pay isn’t accepted on this bridge.
How do foreign-registered vehicles pay the toll?
Foreign–registered vehicles are tolled in the same way as UK vehicles. The ANPR cameras read overseas plates, and payment can be made online, by phone or via the app before leaving the UK.
How often do toll rates change?
Toll adjustments are planned every three years unless otherwise needed.
