THE independent lawyer adjudicators at the Traffic Penalty Tribunal (TPT) will decide appeals against penalties issued for not paying the toll for using the new Mersey Gateway.

Merseyflow is the charging scheme and Halton Borough Council is the charging authority.

Vehicle owners can open an account otherwise the toll must be paid by midnight on the day following crossing the bridge.

Drivers must pay for crossing each way at any time day or night at merseyflow.co.uk/toll-charges.

Anyone who fails to pay by midnight the following day will be sent a £40 Penalty Charge Notice (PCN), reduced to £20 if paid in 14 days.

This rises to £40 plus the unpaid toll if it's not paid within 28 days of issue or £60 if it's not paid within 42 days of issue. 

If it remains unpaid beyond this 42-day period then the penalty will be registered as a civil debt and if unpaid after another 36 days, recovery action will begin.

But there is an appeal process if drivers do not think they are liable to pay the penalty or the toll.

Drivers must first appeal to the Merseyflow team and if not successful to the independent lawyers at TPT at trafficpenaltytribunal.gov.uk. 

TPT chief adjudicator Caroline Sheppard OBE said: “Motorists who need to challenge penalties and have their representations to Merseyflow/Halton Borough Council rejected can appeal to the adjudicator quickly and easily online.

“The notice of rejection explains how. It is quick, free and easy to appeal.”