The project plans will result in both the new bridge and the existing Silver Jubilee Bridge being tolled.
There are a number of reasons why tolling both bridges is the only option:
- the government has told us it will not fund the whole cost of building the Mersey Gateway
- a tolled Mersey Gateway with a free to use Silver Jubilee Bridge would result in severe road congestion for local people
- the traffic problems on the Silver Jubilee Bridge need to be resolved to allow for essential maintenance to take place on the bridge in the future.
The exact toll levels are still to be determined but they are likely to be similar to the cost of travelling through one of the Mersey Tunnels.
Following feedback from our pre-planning application consultation in summer 2007, the project team is now committed to the principle of prioritising discounts for local people – we are actively looking at the best way to introduce discounts.
Although it is not practical to confirm exactly what toll levels will be until a concessionaire is appointed, the project’s funding model includes a significant sum to subsidise toll revenue, which will help to keep toll charges down.