Driving charges · Toll bridge
Mersey Gateway Bridge
Runcorn and Widnes, Cheshire (A533 over the River Mersey)
Who pays
Drivers of all vehicles except motorbikes and registered exempt vehicles, in both directions
When it applies
Always (every crossing, 24 hours a day)
How much
| Vehicle | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Motorbike (Class 1) | Free | Motorbikes, mopeds, trikes and quad bikes are exempt; no account needed. |
| Car, small van or minibus up to 8 passenger seats (Class 2) | £2.40 | Per one-way crossing, unregistered. £2.15 with a pre-pay sticker plan; £2.30 with a video plan. Monthly passes: £110 unlimited or £75 off-peak. |
| Truck 3.5–12 tonnes or bus with more than 8 passenger seats (Class 3) | £7.20 | Per one-way crossing, unregistered. Save 10% with a pre-pay sticker plan. |
| Truck over 12 tonnes or bus over 5 tonnes (Class 4) | £9.60 | Per one-way crossing, unregistered. Save 10% with a pre-pay sticker plan. |
Discounts and exemptions
- Eligible Halton residents (Local User Discount Scheme): £12 a year (£10 on auto-renewal with auto-payment) for unlimited personal crossings
- Blue Badge holders: £5 one-off registration for unlimited crossings
- Pre-pay sticker plan: £5 one-off fee per vehicle, saves 10% per crossing; video plan saves 5%
- Monthly passes for Class 2 vehicles: £110 unlimited, £75 off-peak (10am–4pm and 7pm–7am Mon–Fri, all day at weekends and public holidays)
- Motorbikes and some emergency and military vehicles exempt; agricultural tractors exempt on the Silver Jubilee Bridge only (exempt account and £5 fee needed)
How to pay
Free-flow: no booths. Pay online at merseyflow.co.uk, with the merseyflow Quick Pay app, by phone on 01928 878 878 (automated service 24/7), at the walk-in centre in Runcorn, or at Payzone outlets. You can pay up to 12 months in advance. Registered accounts pay automatically.
Payment deadline
By 11.59pm (midnight) the day after you cross
If you don't pay
Penalty Charge Notice of £50 plus the unpaid toll, reduced to £25 if paid within 14 days. If not paid or challenged within 28 days, a Charge Certificate raises it to £75 plus the toll. Unpaid debts are then registered at the County Court (extra £11 per PCN) and can be passed to enforcement agents.
Good to know
Tolls rose by 20% on 1 April 2025, the first rise since 2017. Halton Borough Council says it will review charges every three years unless exceptional circumstances apply. merseyflow.co.uk is the only official place to register or buy a monthly pass.
Sources: www.merseyflow.co.uk/ · www.merseyflow.co.uk/toll-charges · www.merseyflow.co.uk/faq · www.merseyflow.co.uk/debt-recovery · merseygateway.co.uk/toll-charges/ · assets-eu-01.kc-usercontent.com/b8de78b4-ca83-013e-5a94-3f6e