BE warned.

The automated tolling system on the Mersey Gateway Bridge in Runcorn and Widnes is not as innocent as it seems.

Purely by chance I happened to check my bridge crossing record on their website and I discovered that as well as a northbound crossing at about 2pm I had then been charged for a southbound crossing at around 4pm (both of which were perfectly legitimate).

But this was followed by a second southbound crossing a few minutes later.

This was obviously impossible as there was no way I could have miraculously got back across to Widnes without crossing the bridge and then made a second southbound crossing as well, all within the space of just a few minutes.

I phoned their helpline and they checked their video records and agreed with me.

The second charge is apparently going to be refunded to me.

But what if I hadn’t checked, and how many other people are being overcharged in this way?

JOHN WARDLEY Warrington