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Post by bluefox on Aug 22, 2017 0:06:47 GMT 1
I paid the £5 registration fee and £30 up front. I have received my windscreen bar code sticker but the Merseyflow website does not show me any credit.
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Post by liverpoolman1 on Aug 22, 2017 7:23:30 GMT 1
As an infrequent user of the Widnes bridge I will in future, I assume, be directed to the new Mersey Crossing. If there are no pay booths there will I be advised in advance that I am liable for charges? Can I pay at the bridge at all? If not, am I expected to go on line to pay retrospectively? What about the people, many of them older generation, who are not on-line? Will they be fined through the use of number plate recognition procedure?
It seems to me that the occasional user is highly likely to fall prey to fines - albeit unintentionally.
Could someone clarify the position as I find the website information sadly lacking in information for the occasional user.
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Post by Airbus A346 on Aug 22, 2017 11:14:02 GMT 1
As an infrequent user of the Widnes bridge I will in future, I assume, be directed to the new Mersey Crossing. If there are no pay booths there will I be advised in advance that I am liable for charges? Can I pay at the bridge at all? If not, am I expected to go on line to pay retrospectively? What about the people, many of them older generation, who are not on-line? Will they be fined through the use of number plate recognition procedure? It seems to me that the occasional user is highly likely to fall prey to fines - albeit unintentionally. Could someone clarify the position as I find the website information sadly lacking in information for the occasional user. .......... in order to keep the traffic free flowing there will be no toll booths or any method of payment at the bridge. Your crossing will be recorded by ANPR cameras. MerseyFlow have set up a call centre on Manor Park, Runcorn to accept telephone payments. You will have until midnight on the following day to make your payment or risk receiving a £60 fixed penalty notice. If it is similar to the Dartford bridge they will probably have an automated pay by mobile phone system as well. I nearly fell foul of the Dartford bridge due to lack of signage and information. I suspect signage will be erected on both approaches in the near future, I live in Widnes and will update you on here as and when. Hope this assists you.
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Post by vanguard on Aug 22, 2017 14:10:31 GMT 1
As an infrequent user of the Widnes bridge I will in future, I assume, be directed to the new Mersey Crossing. If there are no pay booths there will I be advised in advance that I am liable for charges? Can I pay at the bridge at all? If not, am I expected to go on line to pay retrospectively? What about the people, many of them older generation, who are not on-line? Will they be fined through the use of number plate recognition procedure? It seems to me that the occasional user is highly likely to fall prey to fines - albeit unintentionally. Could someone clarify the position as I find the website information sadly lacking in information for the occasional user. .......... in order to keep the traffic free flowing there will be no toll booths or any method of payment at the bridge. Your crossing will be recorded by ANPR cameras. MerseyFlow have set up a call centre on Manor Park, Runcorn to accept telephone payments. You will have until midnight on the following day to make your payment or risk receiving a £60 fixed penalty notice. If it is similar to the Dartford bridge they will probably have an automated pay by mobile phone system as well. I nearly fell foul of the Dartford bridge due to lack of signage and information. I suspect signage will be erected on both approaches in the near future, I live in Widnes and will update you on here as and when. Hope this assists you. I too am a infrequent traveller across the Widnes/Runcorn bridge so i made a trip to the now closed "Walk in Shop". Before i got to the shop i had in my mind to pay by phone or via the internet,while talking to the staff i changed my mind and will register for a screen sticker it will cost £5 reg fee + £30 in my account to be debited as and when i cross.I then asked them is there a Time limit on the money in my account? the answer i got was no time limit on the account. As they said it is a lot better than a £60!! fine dropping on your doormat if you forget to pay or on holiday for a few weeks,the also said i could stop the account at any time with any remaining funds returned to your bank account.
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Post by eye2eye5 on Aug 23, 2017 10:05:31 GMT 1
I have just posted the comment below on another site, referring to the future tolling system for both Runcorn bridges. It's worth trying to understand the implications for airport passengers crossing the bridges.
Having looked at the tolling information for the first time, I'm puzzled. From what I understand, unless I am registered with Merseyflow (and it will cost me £35 up front for the privilege) then I have until 23.59 the day after I cross the bridge to pay the fee. There aren't any toll booths, so I either have to go on line, ring up or go to an office in Runcorn. If I fail to pay on time then I am hit with a £60 fine.
I'm imagining a family travelling from North Wales to catch a flight at the airport, haven't crossed the bridge before and are quite tight on the flight time. Are they really expected to think about contacting Merseyflow by one of the options above when their minds are elsewhere?
There must be a better way. I have just looked at setting up a Merseyflow account to cater for my occasional (say once every month) crossings, but I don't seem to be able to do so unless I pay up front. Who is regulating the tolling process?
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Post by LPL on Aug 23, 2017 10:23:58 GMT 1
There are enough adverts around to inform people of what to expect.
There will be the same at the airport as well.
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Post by eye2eye5 on Aug 23, 2017 10:31:59 GMT 1
I sincerely hope so. I have yet to see anything that sets out the options for the very infrequent user unless you go digging on the Merseyflow website. in my view, Merseyflow should be forced to change to a system which allows you to set up an account and register a card without giving them an upfront payment. At present it appears to be unregistered piracy.
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Post by harbourcotter on Aug 23, 2017 10:41:55 GMT 1
eye2eye5 - You have made a pertinent point. I am an occasional user of the Bridge although lately I have been going via Warrington to avoid the worst of the queues. However I have not seen any adverts, nor know of anyone who has. This means that many people are not going to be aware until they receive these 'Fines'. The average holidaymaker who uses the airport wont be unduly bothered by the one off fee, they may even prefer the novelty of the new bridge. That will change rapidly when they get this unknown fine. Will this affect the airport? Undoubtedly. What about passengers who use the long stay car park and get a nasty notice of fine when they are on holiday or for those who don't carry a mobile, when they return? What about those people who don't even have internet access? Unfortunately although not of the airports making, it may have a very detrimental impact. It appears very much a 'scam' over and above the bridge fee. It looks like I will be using warrington or the tunnels in future.
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Post by optimum1878 on Aug 23, 2017 11:21:10 GMT 1
Thankfully I live on this side.
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Post by highfly on Aug 23, 2017 12:02:06 GMT 1
They should set up a pay station in the terminal in departures, like where the fast track machines are. You should just be able to put your registration number in and pay the toll with a contactless card or loose change or something. And have clear signs earning that if you have crossed either of the bridges that it's your last chance to pay before leaving the country.
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Post by andyh on Aug 23, 2017 12:04:10 GMT 1
eye2eye5 - You have made a pertinent point. I am an occasional user of the Bridge although lately I have been going via Warrington to avoid the worst of the queues. However I have not seen any adverts, nor know of anyone who has. This means that many people are not going to be aware until they receive these 'Fines'. The average holidaymaker who uses the airport wont be unduly bothered by the one off fee, they may even prefer the novelty of the new bridge. That will change rapidly when they get this unknown fine. Will this affect the airport? Undoubtedly. What about passengers who use the long stay car park and get a nasty notice of fine when they are on holiday or for those who don't carry a mobile, when they return? What about those people who don't even have internet access? Unfortunately although not of the airports making, it may have a very detrimental impact. It appears very much a 'scam' over and above the bridge fee. It looks like I will be using warrington or the tunnels in future. Like the (£11.50 per day!) congestion charge in London, occasional users can phone up within 24 hours of crossing the bridge and pay. No access to the internet required. I would also point out that traffic flow across the bridge will be two-way...traffic heading for Manchester Airport will be equally affected, as will anyone heading to catch a train at Runcorn Station. I would expect that a wider public information campaign will get underway as the actual opening date gets nearer, although having said that I understand it is now less than 60 days away. Comparisons are often made with the Mersey Tunnels. There is a difference. The financial risk of the new bridge sits with Halton Council (and therefore its residents) and not the rest of the Liverpool City Region / Merseytravel. It is in effect a private road (for the next 30 years, anyway) funded by the Council in partnership with a private contractor and not part of the national strategic road network, so the money for the operation and maintenance of the bridge over that period can only come from tolls. Sad, but that is the state of major infrastructure provision in the country at the moment.
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Post by eye2eye5 on Aug 23, 2017 12:08:53 GMT 1
Andy, I'm not suggesting that there shouldn't be a toll, it's the payment methodology I'm objecting to. It clearly points to a lack of competition, if you are able to charge up front for a system which utilises credit and debit cards. Can you imagine TESCO charging £5 for you to register your card up front and insisting that you deposit £30 with them before you think about going shopping?
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Post by andyh on Aug 23, 2017 12:40:39 GMT 1
Andy, I'm not suggesting that there shouldn't be a toll, it's the payment methodology I'm objecting to. It clearly points to a lack of competition, if you are able to charge up front for a system which utilises credit and debit cards. Can you imagine TESCO charging £5 for you to register your card up front and insisting that you deposit £30 with them before you think about going shopping? If you opt for a Fast Tag for the tunnels, you have to pay a lump sum upfront to cover your estimated journeys until your Direct Debit activates, at which point you are then still paying a lump sum, in advance, to cover your anticipated journeys. It's a bit more like having to pay to get a Costco membership than shopping at Tesco. To be honest I don't actually think that the level of discount offered to people outside of Halton who pre-register (20p a journey) is any where near enough to make it worthwhile, especially if you only cross the bridge a couple of times a month.
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Post by eye2eye5 on Aug 23, 2017 12:45:24 GMT 1
No, the discount isn't worth it, hence my suggestion that irregular travellers may simply register their card. Doubtless that would impact on up front cash flow and penalty income, but current process doesn't feel like treating customers fairly.
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Post by LPL on Aug 23, 2017 12:46:32 GMT 1
eye2eye5 - You have made a pertinent point. I am an occasional user of the Bridge although lately I have been going via Warrington to avoid the worst of the queues. However I have not seen any adverts, nor know of anyone who has. This means that many people are not going to be aware until they receive these 'Fines'. The average holidaymaker who uses the airport wont be unduly bothered by the one off fee, they may even prefer the novelty of the new bridge. That will change rapidly when they get this unknown fine. Will this affect the airport? Undoubtedly. What about passengers who use the long stay car park and get a nasty notice of fine when they are on holiday or for those who don't carry a mobile, when they return? What about those people who don't even have internet access? Unfortunately although not of the airports making, it may have a very detrimental impact. It appears very much a 'scam' over and above the bridge fee. It looks like I will be using warrington or the tunnels in future. The adverts are constantly on the radio and is flashing up on the internet. As for adverse effect on the airport, well if its an adverse effect for those coming from south of the river then, then logically, those living on the north side of the river it will have a positive effect on the airport, ie swings and roundabouts. BTW you need to pay the same fee as the bridge when going through the tunnel except you will need to queue, something that wont happen on the bridge.
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