Mersey Tunnels will roll out a new tap and go card payment system in the next few days that aims to improve traffic flow. Tony McDonough reports

Toll booths at the Wirral end of the Kingsway Mersey Tunnel

Mersey Tunnels is introducing new card payment machines at toll booths from Monday, November 18, in a move it says will improve traffic flow at busy times.

Liverpool City Region Combined Authority says this improved tap and go card payment system will almost halve the transaction time for card payments. Backed by customer feedback, it will replace previous card payment devices introduced in 2019.

Upgrades will begin at the Queensway (Birkenhead) and Kingsway (Wallasey) Tunnels from Monday, November 18, 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.

Cllr Steve Foulkes, chair of the Combined Authority Transport Committee, said: “With more than 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.”

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The upgrade 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 Liverpool city region.

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.