A MILESTONE has been reached as 50,000 vehicles are now registered for bridge tolls on the Mersey Gateway and Silver Jubilee.

Since merseyflow started operations nearly two months ago staff have been registering hundreds of vehicles every day, online, over the phone and at walk-in centres.

Anthony Alicastro, chief executive officer of emovis operations (Mersey) Limited said registering 50,000 vehicles was a milestone but there was still work to be done.

He said: “It’s great to have reached the point where we have registered 50,000 vehicles. We’ve been operating for just under two months so this is great news.

“However there are still plenty more people who have yet to sign up.

“The opening of the new bridge is drawing closer so I would urge anyone who has been putting off signing up to act now, visit our website and complete your registration.

“It will mean you’re ready to use the bridge from day one, and that you avoid the inevitable rush of registrations that we receive when an opening date for the new bridge is announced.”

The website is the quickest way to sign up for a merseyflow account and register vehicles.

With the bridge expected to open by mid-October the team is encouraging people to register as soon as possible.

To register visit merseyflow.co.uk, call 01928 878878 or visit the walk in centre at Howard Court, Manor Park, Runcorn. It is open from 8am to 8pm weekdays and 9am to 6pm weekends and bank holidays.

A temporary registration service is available at Halton Direct Link on Brook Street, Widnes between 9am and 5.30pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 1pm Saturday.

Registering is the only way to get discounts on journeys across the Mersey, or for those who qualify, free travel across the bridges.

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

Anyone, wherever they live, can also register for a pre-pay account or monthly pass which both give discounts on the full unregistered toll fee.

It will still be possible to cross the bridges without registering. The full toll fee is £2 per car per crossing, with additional charges for larger vehicles.

Tolls must be paid by midnight on the day after the journey is made.

When the new bridge opens the Silver Jubilee will be closed to road traffic for refurbishment but will remain open to pedestrians and cyclists.