TOLLING arrangements for the new Mersey Gateway have been revealed this morning, Tuesday.

Merseyflow will operate a system which will charge motorists travelling over the new crossing and the existing Silver Jubilee Bridge £2 each way – from this autumn.

There will be no toll booths.

Instead automatic number plate reading technology will scan vehicles and registered users will get a special sticker to attach to their windscreens to identify them as they cross the river.

Free tolls are available for eligible Halton residents and blue badge holders once they have paid a small fee but everyone who qualifies will need to register to get this discount.

David Parr, chief executive of Halton Borough Council, said: “We’ve worked closely with the tolling team to set up the Merseyflow system and make sure that people have plenty of time to work out the best approach for them before registration opens later this year.”

Regular users of both bridges can apply for reduced rates but must register to access these savings.

Drivers of cars or small vans will be able to buy a monthly pass that will cap their costs and offer unlimited travel across the river in Halton.

The information is being published now to ensure that everyone who will use the new bridge has an opportunity to look at it and understand which approach is best for them.

Merseyflow will be sharing information on Facebook and Twitter and will be working closely with Halton Borough Council and the construction team to spread the message about tolling.

When registration opens this summer there will also be a walk-in centre and a team available by phone to answer queries about the registration and payment process.

Anthony Alicastro, managing director of Merseyflow, said: “For the vast majority of people, registering will be the best way to get the best discount on the tolls. Tolling registration will not open until the summer.

“After they have registered and paid a small annual administration fee, the vast majority of Halton residents will be eligible for free travel across both the Mersey Gateway Bridge and Silver Jubilee Bridge.

“People living outside of Halton who drive a small car or a van will have two options to reduce the cost of the toll; registering for a pre-pay merseyflow account, which will save up to 10 per cent on the cost of each trip or registering for a monthly pass which will cap the cost of travel.”

Construction work on the Mersey Gateway Bridge and connecting roads will continue until the autumn of 2017.

Once the new bridge opens, the Silver Jubilee Bridge will close for around 12 months for repairs and improvements to further improve journeys.

The Merseyflow tolling system will be operated by Emovis, a global leader in tolling solutions, and which successfully operates similar schemes in the UK, Canada and Ireland.

Warrington Borough Council leader Cllr Terry O’Neill has called for the Government to 'reinstate' free crossings over the new Mersey Gateway Bridge for Warrington's motorists.

Motorists in Warrington and Cheshire West and Chester were told they would have tolls waived by former Chancellor George Osborne ahead of the 2015 General Election.

But in January the Government made a U-turn after confirming extending the discount scheme to Liverpool City Council, Knowsley and St Helens would cost £604 million.

It means some residents in the borough could be forced to fork out £1,080 a year to cross the site.

A new website merseyflow.co.uk has been launched to guide people through the registration process.