MERSEY Gateway Bridge tolls for Warrington's motorists 'must be reconsidered as an urgent priority', according to MP Faisal Rashid.

It comes after it was confirmed that hundreds of Mersey Gateway fines could be scrapped after a landmark ruling, which stated motorists did not have to pay tolls, was upheld.

In April, the Traffic Penalty Tribunal (TPT) found that a motorist was not liable to pay a £2 toll for using the new crossing as Halton Borough Council (HBC) had not specified the fee correctly.

The adjudicator also found that the authority failed to give correct notice of charges at the site.

The charging order had only specified a range of what the charge could be, for example £0-£2, which the TPT found to be in breach of the Transport Act 2000.

After a review of that ruling, Edward Solomons, an independent adjudicator, found there were a number of technical and legal points which did in fact mean the charging scheme employed by HBC was not enforceable under the Transport Act.

However he did not find the signs, which were ruled to be inadequate at the earlier hearing, to be a breach of the law.

In total, 547 appeals have been on hold pending the outcome of the review.

The appeal hearing applied to five cases where motorists had either not seen the signs or were expecting to see a toll plaza, so were unaware of the need to pay online or by phone.

Those appellants have been found not liable to pay the toll or the penalty charge.

However, it is up to HBC to decide what to do about the remaining penalty charge notice appeals that are on hold.

Following the latest developments, Warrington South MP Mr Rashid has claimed motorists have effectively been used as 'guinea pigs'.

He said: "While this is great news for those with outstanding appeals and fines, the reality is that there are many people who have paid the charges, rather than risk facing heftier fines or repercussions for not doing so.

"It is now clear that none of those people should have to had to pay the fines in the first place.

"While the bridge operators argue that the tolls remain payable and have given assurances that they have taken the remedial action necessary to correct the charging order, people who have already paid their fines should be reimbursed.

"It is unacceptable that hundreds of individuals, including my constituents, have in effect been used as guinea pigs as part of a very rocky teething period and suffered financial loss as a result.

"That financial burden should fall to Merseyflow – they are responsible for ensuring that the tolls system is fit for purpose.

"The tolling of the bridge is an issue in its own right and this ruling reemphasises the fact that tolling of the bridge for Warrington residents must be reconsidered as an urgent priority."

HBC did not agree with the decision in April on either point and applied for a review, while embarking on a consultation to make a fresh order that does specify the fees.

And the Mersey Gateway Crossings Board said it was 'disappointed' by last week's decision.

A spokesman added: "We will now take time to review today's decision with our external legal advisors and consider our next steps.

"Since 19th April 2018 a new charging order has been in place.

"This new charging order now regulates the tolling on Mersey Gateway and it's really important that everyone who uses the crossing pays their toll charge to avoid the risk of getting a penalty charge notice."