Find out the latest journey times, travel updates and more for the Queensway (Birkenhead) and Kingsway (Wallasey) tunnels.
If you don't have a pre-paid tolls account and need to make a journey through the tunnel, please be aware that we do not provide change. Please use the AUTO lanes to pay with the correct change or by contactless.
Have you moved to T-FLOW yet?
Soon your Fast Tag will become obsolete and will no longer work. You can change your account to a T-FLOW account here.
It’s easy – just log onto your account and enter your car registration, then within 30 minutes you can travel through the tunnels as usual.
All we ask is that you return your old Fast Tag to us so we can dispose of it securely and in an environmentally responsible way. Just hand your old tag in at the toll booth next time you travel through Mersey Tunnels and we will do the rest.
Why are the card payment devices changing at Mersey Tunnels?
We are upgrading the card payment system at Mersey Tunnels toll plaza, as part of a wider modernisation programme.
It’s great news for tunnel users as the new payment system being introduced will almost halve the transaction time for card payments so you can move through the plaza even quicker and smoother than before.
As well as speeding up the transaction time, the move will also help reduce congestion on the plaza during busy periods.
Card payments were introduced at the Mersey Tunnels in 2019 and this latest investment is in response to customer feedback.
My bank card is chip & pin, how do I pay?
Any Visa or Mastercard displaying symbol may be used for contactless payment. The upgraded devices are contactless only, allowing customers to simply “tap and go”. There is no need to enter a pin number.
The devices at Mersey Tunnels will also support both Apple Pay and Google Pay.
Which lanes can I use to pay contactless?
The card payment devices are installed both in our attended and automatic toll lanes.
Can I have a receipt for my contactless transaction?
If you pay by Apple Pay or Google Pay you will find a transaction receipt in your mobile phone digital wallet.
During the upgrade receipts will not be available online. Details of Mersey Tunnels Tolls, Fees and Charges are displayed on the Mersey Tunnels website for reference.
Once the full upgrade at Queensway (Birkenhead) and Kingsway (Wallasey) Tunnel is complete, customers will be able to view receipts online.
For our business customers wishing to claim expenses, you may benefit from opening a T-FLOW account, T-FLOW brings added convenience, including T-FLOW only lanes to help reduce queue time at the toll plaza, as well as being able to view, print and download a monthly statement of journeys and payments made.
To find out more visit the website or click here if you would like to apply.
Are tolls VATable?
The simple answer is “no” the toll rate is not liable for VAT and therefore receipts are not issued to customers.
Are T-FLOW transactions also speeding up?
T-FLOW remains the quickest and most convenient method of payment when using Mersey Tunnels. On both toll plazas we have a number of T-FLOW only lanes in operation which are generally free flowing at all times.
Is T-FLOW affected by this upgrade?
No, T-FLOW customers can still use the plaza and T-FLOW lanes as usual. To help traffic through the plaza during this time, we will actually be opening more T-FLOW lanes across both toll plazas and encourage tunnel users to switch to T-FLOW to avoid any disruption, even if just for this transition period.
Using the Tunnel
Both Mersey Tunnels are open 24 hours a day, 364 days a year (on Christmas Day only Kingsway (Wallasey) Tunnel is open). However, we may close one of the Tunnels, usually at night, to carry out maintenance. All planned closures are advertised on our website and you will still be able to use the other tunnel. Accidents and emergencies do sometimes occur and, in these instances, we reserve the right to close the tunnel at any time without notice.
Exceeding the speed limit is the only endorsable offence under the byelaws.
The maximum fine for breach of a byelaw is £1,000.
Bicycles are not permitted through the Kingsway (Wallasey) Tunnel. Through the Queensway (Birkenhead) Tunnel, they are not allowed between the hours of 6am to 8pm, Monday to Friday, 7am to 8pm on Saturday and 8am to 9pm on Sunday. Please note, the time limits during a Sunday are only operational between 1st April and 30th September inclusive.
We would recommend that you seek independent legal advice on this issue. Merseytravel is not in a position to advise whether or not you should attend court.
The simple answer is "No", the toll rate is not liable to VAT and therefore receipts are not issued to customers.
For the Queensway (Birkenhead) Tunnel the maximum permitted gross vehicle weight is 3.5 tonnes, except for local bus services and emergency vehicles. For the Kingsway (Wallasey) Tunnel, the maximum permitted gross vehicle weight is 38 tonnes. Anything above that weight may still travel subject to prior approval based on a load calculation basis. For further details please email [email protected]
For vehicles using the Birkenhead (Queensway) Tunnel then the maximum permitted vehicle dimensions are 3.9m in height, 2.7m in width and 12m in length. For vehicles using the Wallasey (Kingsway) Tunnel then the maximum permitted vehicle dimensions are 5m in height, 2.9m in width and 12.2m in length. For vehicles and trailers the maximum combined length (including any load or loads and drawbar) is 18.3 metres.
The loans are still being paid and will not be paid off until 2048. These payments are fixed and the penalties incurred by paying them off early would make the debt more expensive, so would be a false economy. The debt isn't just related to the construction costs of both the Queensway and Kingsway, but also the money that was borrowed for tunnel maintenance and improvements before the Tunnels Act 2004. This now ensures sufficient funds are generated through tunnel use to allow for their upkeep and improvement without borrowing. The debts are not of a level that would significantly impact the level of the toll.
T-FLOW
Mersey Tunnels introduce T-FLOW the new scheme that replaces the Fast Tag system as the quick easy pre-payment option for travelling through the Mersey Tunnels.
Mersey Tunnels has introduced Automatic Number Plate Recognition camera technology (ANPR) at both Birkenhead (Queensway) and Wallasey (Kingsway) plaza. New customers can easily register for a T-FLOW account online, as part of the process will register their Vehicle Licence Plate Number, which will be checked against DVLA source data to automatically set the correct toll classification for the vehicle in line with existing categories.
Customers will be asked to make an initial payment onto their T-FLOW account by debit or credit card, this will add credit allowing the customer to travel almost immediately and removing the need to wait for Fast Tags to arrive by post.
Once registered, if the vehicle presents at the toll plaza, the plate will be read by the camera in the toll lane and checks made to ensure that there is sufficient credit on the account to make that journey. If so, the barrier will raise and the correct toll payment for that vehicles class will be deducted from the account balance.
This T-FLOW system is the pre-payment option, removing the need for the customer to carry cash or make a card payment in the toll lane. Customers can assign more than one vehicle to an account and account holders will see an itemised history of each vehicle usage, allowing them to check expenditure, claim expenses etc.
New customers can register for a T-FLOW account online. As part of the account opening process, you will be asked to enter the Vehicle Registration Number(s) which will be checked against DVLA source data to automatically set the correct toll classification for that vehicle. You can open an account for personal or business use and you can add, remove or change vehicles, as and when you need to.
You can register quickly and easily online by visiting www.merseytunnels.co.uk and following the step by step process. Try using the savings calculator to see how much you can save using T-FLOW.
As well as being more convenient and allowing quicker travel through the toll plaza, you no longer have to wait for Fast Tags to arrive by post or activate them before use. Customers can register vehicles of all classes and travel the same day and have the added benefit of the online account management facility.
Eligible Liverpool City Region Residents can still benefit from the discounted toll on any personal journeys made using their T-FLOW account.
Mersey Tunnels has operated the Fast Tag scheme for almost 30 years and has many customers using this scheme. Customers may continue to use their Fast Tags, but we will no longer issue any new tags and will ask customers to register vehicles instead.
In the months that follow the launch of T-FLOW, our Customer Service team will be making contact with existing customers to discuss their account migration in more detail - until then you may continue to use Fast Tag to avoid any inconvenience
Mersey Tunnels offers a range of alternative payment options and customers can pay the toll fee by Credit or Debit card or Cash if they do not want to register for T-FLOW.
To qualify for the Liverpool City Region discounted toll rates, you must be able to provide evidence in support of your application and discounts are permitted on registered T-FLOW accounts on class 1 vehicles for personal use only. No discounts will be given on cash or card payments.
Cameras are installed on every lane, and there will also be dedicated T-FLOW lanes for your added convenience. Vehicle class 1 may use any toll lane, vehicle classes 2, 3 and 4 must use attended lanes and the T-FLOW wide lanes at Wallasey.
If you change your vehicle, you can update this easily, simply by registering the new vehicle online at www.merseytunnels.co.uk
If your vehicle is stolen you must report it to us immediately, either online at www.merseytunnels.co.uk or by phoning our customer service team on 0151 330 1004. Once you report the vehicle as stolen you will no longer be liable for any journeys made by that vehicle.
If your vehicle is returned, you must notify us immediately either online or by phone.
Yes, your licence plate will not be held within the DVLA source data so you will not be able to apply online, you may contact our customer service team on 0151 330 1004 or email [email protected] quoting your vehicle plate number, make and model and the toll class and our team will register this for you.
If your vehicle is subject to Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) you must declare it immediately either online at www.merseytunnels.co.uk or by phoning our customer service team on 0151 330 1004.
For maximum convenience we recommend fixed monthly Direct Debit payments to your
T-FLOW account. There is a choice of 4 payment dates - 3rd,10th,17th and 24th of the month.
Simply calculate the maximum number of journeys each month and multiply this by the toll rate.
Full details of tolls, fees and charges are available at www.merseytunnels.co.uk
You can now do this online via our website www.merseytunnels.co.uk - simply cancel the previous Direct Debit (which you do via your online account), wait three days and then set up a new one online. Please have the bank sort code and account details to hand.
For bank accounts requiring more than one signatory you will need to complete a new Direct Debit Mandate Form and either post this to us at Merseytravel, PO BOX 1976, Liverpool L69 3HN or hand this in to your nearest Merseytravel Centre.
If you have previously suspended your Direct Debit and simply wish to reinstate it, so long as all of the details such as amount and payment date remain unchanged, click on resume and this will be reactivated for your next payment.
If you have an excess credit on the account and you have a Direct Debit linked to your account, you may request a refund online. Payment will be made directly to the bank account from which the Direct Debit is taken. Please ensure you leave enough credit to cover any journeys that you need to make.
One of the benefits of T-FLOW is that you can manage your account online via your dashboard where you can view your statement or see an itemised history of journeys made. You have the option to print or download this for your records.
We will utilise only relevant categories of DVLA Open Source Data for the purposes of verifying your vehicle’s make and model and automatically classifying the toll category to charge the appropriate toll fare. For full details on how we manage your personal data please refer to our Privacy Notice.
As T-FLOW is a pre-payment scheme it will only operate whilst your account is in credit. It is very important that you do not exceed the total number of journeys that you used to calculate the monthly payment.
If you think this might happen due to a change in your journey pattern you can either top up your T-FLOW account online at www.merseytunnels.co.uk or pay for any additional journeys by cash or card.
If you think this increase in usage is more long term you should increase your Direct Debit payment for your maximum convenience.
The lane display messages mounted on the right-hand side of each toll lane indicate the status of your T-FLOW account.
If there is a vehicle immediately in front of you, please do not attempt to follow on the green or amber light relating to that vehicle transaction.
Please ensure that you remove any Fast Tag device from your vehicle and check the vehicle number plate conforms to the DVLA Vehicle registration numbers and number plates standards. Further information can be found at on the Governments website. If the number plate does not meet these requirements it will not be read by the ANPR camera located in the toll lane and you must pay by cash or debit / credit card to proceed with your journey. Check that your number plate is kept clean so that the characters are clearly visible to the ANPR camera.
Residents' Discount Scheme
Mersey Tunnels currently offers discounted toll rates for all residents of the Liverpool City Region. To qualify for this discounted toll rate, you must be able to provide evidence that you meet the criteria below: -
Registered as living in a property in Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St. Helens, or Wirral local authority boundaries, i.e., your property is within the council tax area of these councils.
Hold a valid and current UK driver’s license and be the registered keeper according to the DVLA of a vehicle registered in the same area.
Equivalent proof that you are the keeper of the vehicle on an exclusive basis will be required for vehicles that are leased. The discount is only available to class 1 vehicles, i.e., a car or small van**
** A small van weighs less than 3.5 tonnes, please see our Tolls, Fees and Charges for details
The discount is only available to eligible, registered T-FLOW accounts for personal journeys. If you choose to pay your toll by cash or Credit or Debit card at the plaza the full toll rate will apply.
Residents can apply online via our website www.merseytunnels.co.uk. Once your application has been verified and eligibility approved, your vehicle will be automatically classified and when it presents at the toll plaza and is read by the camera and you will automatically be charged at the discounted toll rate.
You must notify Merseytravel of any change to your address, vehicle registration or personal information.
Once you are registered for the scheme our website allows you to amend your address online - the process will treat you like a new applicant and you must prove that you remain eligible for the Liverpool City Region residents discount.
Our online application process, or address change, will automatically verify your residency. However, if this is not possible for any reason, you will be prompted to supply a range of documents to verify your eligibility. The documents you should supply are:
your current driving licence
your current council tax bill, or a utility bill with your name and address dated within the last 3 months
your V5C vehicle registration form – showing the vehicle is registered to your address.
The discount is allocated to your T-FLOW account. Therefore, you can either, have a joint account with your partner or household or each household member can opt to open their own account, assuming of course, each individual can demonstrate and prove they meet the criteria. There is a restriction to four vehicles for each personal account.
Yes, you must register in advance for T-FLOW and demonstrate that you are eligible for this discount.
If you do not register, proving eligibility, the full cash toll rate will apply.
Registering for T-FLOW is free. However, the scheme operates on a pre-payment basis, so during the application process you will be asked to make an initial payment to your account which will add credit so that you can use it straight away.
The full amount of your top up is credited towards any journeys. Your account must always remain in credit and you can set up a regular monthly Direct Debits or top up by debit or credit card online if you prefer.
You can keep a track of your balance online and the lane display messages will also indicate when your balance is running low to alert you to top up your account.
Any business users, including taxis and driving instructors, who meet the criteria for the resident discount scheme and are using their vehicles for private journeys can register for the scheme for private journeys only.
All commercial trips, or trips for a business, through the Mersey Tunnels must be declared and paid for via cash or card.
You can register a vehicle to only one T-FLOW account.
Concessionary Travel Scheme
You can apply for free travel through the Mersey Tunnels if:
You hold a Disabled Persons (Blue) Parking badge
and
• receive the highest rate of mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance;
or
• you are over 65 and receive the highest rate of Attendance Allowance;
or
• you receive the enhanced rate of the mobility component of the Personal Independence Payment;
or
• you receive the mobility supplement of a War Pension.
Yes, it is a condition of issue that is strictly monitored. If you are not in the correct vehicle, or not in the vehicle at all, and someone tries to use the concession, then it may be confiscated.
We will add your new allowance to your journeys automatically on 1st April each year. You cannot carry forward any journeys left in your account on 31st March and they will be cancelled.
If you wish to change your nominated vehicle please call 0151 330 1004. Our staff will be able to help you over the telephone, between 8am and 8pm, Monday to Friday.
Or you can visit a Merseytravel Centre.
You may appeal within one month of the date of your decision outcome. The appeal must be made in writing and you must enclose further relevant official documentation dated within the last 12 months to support your appeal. Merseytravel cannot hold a formal appeal panel based on a re-submission of the original application, you msut submit new evidence and not solely on the grounds that you are unhappy with the original decision. Take your supporting documents to a Merseytravel Centre or post them to:
Concessions Customer Delivery Team
Merseytravel
PO Box 1976
Liverpool
L69 3HN.
Tunnel Tours
For more information and to book a tour, please see the Mersey Tunnel Tours webpage. Tours take place on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 5pm, and Saturday mornings at 10am. The tour will take approx two hours.
Our postal address is: Merseytravel, PO Box 1976, Liverpool, L69 3HN.
For Tunnel Fast Tag enquiries please email [email protected]. For all other enquiries please email [email protected].
Our telephone number is 0151 330 1004. Lines are open 8am to 8pm, Monday to Friday for general enquiries.
You may also obtain or submit your application for Fast Tag or the Mersey Tunnels Concessionary Travel Scheme via a Merseytravel Centre. These are located in Birkenhead, Bootle, Huyton, Liverpool One, Queen Square and St Helens bus stations
Liverpool Lime Street is currently closed to the public due to a security threat. No trains are running from the station. We aim to have normal service resumed as swiftly as possible. We are sorry for any inconvenience caused.
