ELIGIBLE Halton residents are being urged to register to get free crossings across the new Mersey Gateway.

Anyone, including Halton residents, who doesn’t register will have to pay the full unregistered toll of £2 per journey and could be fined up to £60 for every unpaid crossing.

The bridge could open as early as mid-September.

From that point Halton residents, in common with everyone else who crosses the new bridge and hasn’t registered, will be charged £2 per crossing.

If this is not paid by midnight the day after the crossing, a £20 penalty charge notice will be issued, which can rise to a £60 fine.

So far, more than 40,000 residents have registered with merseyflow.

However, there are still a significant number of eligible Halton residents who have not yet registered for their free trips.

Anthony Alicastro, chief executive Officer of emovis operations (Mersey) Limited which runs the merseyflow operation, said: “The last thing we want to do is be sending out fines to eligible Halton residents who qualify for free crossings so if you live in Halton and meet all the criteria then please register today to make sure you have your sticker ahead of the new bridge opening.”

“The merseyflow registration process is simple and there are a variety of ways to sign up, with the website being the quickest method.

“Eligible Halton residents can get unlimited travel on the bridge after they pay a £10 registration fee, so sign up now and get the free trips that you are entitled to.

“We know there are still thousands of people across Halton who will benefit from discounts but it’s really important that they register with us as soon as possible.”

David Parr, chief executive of Halton Council and the Mersey Gateway Crossings Board, said: “The council has worked hard to ensure the best possible discounts for Halton residents and we were delighted we could offer unlimited free crossings to those who are eligible.

“If you are an eligible Halton resident and are not registered with Merseyflow, you will have to pay each time you cross the new Mersey Gateway bridge – please don’t miss out.

“We urge eligible residents to register as soon as possible before the new bridge opens as early as mid-September.”

To register visit merseyflow.co.uk, call 01928 878878, visit the walk-in centre on Manor Park in Runcorn or the temporary walk-in centre at Halton Direct Link in Widnes.