An improved tap and go card payment system will be rolled out in the Mersey Tunnels from next week as part of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority’s wider modernisation programme for the vital cross river route.

The new contactless system will almost halve the transaction time for card payments – improving traffic flow on the toll plaza during busy periods and cutting air pollution.

Backed by customer feedback, the new system will replace previous card payment devices introduced in 2019.

Cllr Steve Foulkes, chair of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Transport Committee, said:

“With over 80,000 journeys a day, the tunnels are critical to the social and economic wellbeing of our region, so continued investment is needed to keep them running both efficiently and safely.

“This includes investing in modern technology as well as ensuring the year-round maintenance programme takes place to keep the tunnels open.

“We’ve ensured that the upgrade can be completed without having to close the plazas and I’d like to thank users for their patience while the upgrade is completed.”

The upgrade will begin at the Queensway (Birkenhead) and Kingsway (Wallasey) Tunnels from Monday 18 November, when card payment machines will be gradually installed in all lanes.

As Mersey Tunnel teams will be working on the plaza, tunnel users are advised to drive carefully, leave more time for their journey and look out for the correct lane signage on the plaza during the transition.

A T FLOW account remains the most convenient way to pay, whether it’s for daily or occasional journeys, with a discounted rate available for people living in the Liverpool City Region. Indeed, this work will see more T FLOW only lanes in use across both plazas. It’s quick and easy to apply online and is available to use for payment within 30 minutes.