REGISTRATION for tolling on the new Mersey Gateway and Silver Jubilee bridges opens on Monday, July 17.

Merseyflow and Halton Council are urging people to register online as quickly as possible to avoid getting caught in a last minute rush when the new crossing opens in the autumn.

Registering with merseyflow is the only way to get discounts or free tolls if you live in Halton and qualify.

Anyone who is eligible for the Halton residents’ discount scheme must register and pay a £10 annual fee to claim their free trips.

To be eligible for free tolls Halton residents must:

• Hold a valid UK drivers licence showing your address in Halton.

• Live in Halton in a property with a council tax band of A-F.

• Have a vehicle (a car or a small van) registered in your name on the V5C vehicle registration document.

All three documents must have the same address in Halton.

David Parr, chief executive of Halton Council said: “Anyone who wants to be ready to benefit from the improved connectivity and reduced journey times provided by the Mersey Gateway bridge should sign up from Monday, July 17.

“To provide everyone with plenty of time to sign up registration is starting well ahead of the bridge opening in autumn.

“It’s also really important that eligible Halton residents register in order to get the special discount deal the council has been able to fund for local people.”

People will also be able to register for a pre-pay account, monthly pass or blue badge holder pass, all of which give discounts on the full unregistered toll fee.

The free-flow tolling system which uses vehicle recognition will mean journeys across the river will be quicker, easier and more reliable because drivers won’t need to stop or use a toll booth bucket.

It will still be possible to cross the bridge without registering but drivers will have to pay the full unregistered toll fee which is £2 per car per crossing, with additional charges for larger vehicles.

Anthony Alicastro, chief executive officer of Emovis Operations (Mersey) Limited, which runs the merseyflow operation, said demand for registration is expected to be high.

He said: “We’ve had a lot of enquiries from people wanting to know when they can register “If anyone isn’t sure what this means for them, I would encourage them to visit merseyflow.co.uk and look at all the detail there about different registration options to make sure they don’t miss out.”

People can also register in person at merseyflow’s new walk-in centre in Runcorn or telephone.

The location of the new centre and telephone number will be announced on July 17.

If drivers choose to register over the phone, eligible Halton residents and blue badge holders will then need to e-mail copies of their documents to merseyflow.

If you’re an eligible Halton resident and would like to register online, here’s what you need to do:

1. Take photographs or scan copies of your driving licence, your council tax bill and your vehicle registration document (the red and green V5C form) to prove you are eligible.

2. Visit merseyflow.co.uk, click on ‘register now’ and select ‘Halton residents’ account. Complete the registration process and upload the photographs/scans.

3. Pay the annual £10 administration fee. Once you have successfully registered, you will receive a confirmation email and your special merseyflow sticker will be sent through the post.

4. Display your merseyflow sticker in your vehicle following the instructions provided.

If you’re a blue badge holder and wish to register online, here’s what you need to do:

1. Scan or take a photograph of both sides of your blue badge to prove you are eligible.

2. Visit merseyflow.co.uk, click on ‘register now’ and select ‘blue badge holder’ account. Complete the registration process and upload a copy of both sides of your blue badge.

3. Pay the £5 one-off registration fee. Once you have successfully registered, you will receive a confirmation email and your special merseyflow sticker will be sent through the post.

4. Display your merseyflow sticker in your vehicle, following the instructions provided.

If you live outside Halton and would like to register for a pre-pay account, here’s what you need to do:

1. Visit merseyflow.co.uk click on ‘register now’ and select ‘pre-pay’ account. Complete the registration process, entering all details as required.

2. Pay the £5 one-off registration fee for each vehicle you register. Once you have successfully registered you will receive a confirmation email and your special merseyflow sticker will be sent through the post.

3. Display your merseyflow sticker in your vehicle following the instructions provided.

The new bridge is scheduled to open in autumn 2017.

When the new bridge opens the Silver Jubilee Bridge will be closed to road traffic for up to 12 months while it is refurbished.

During this time the Silver Jubilee bridge will remain open to pedestrians and cyclists.