New Humber Bridge tolls: Key questions answered

A new tolling system comes into force on the Humber Bridge this week – and fees will rise for the first time in 13 years.

The changes will be introduced when the toll booths close for the final time at midnight on Friday.

It means motorists will no longer be able to pay at a booth when crossing the bridge. Instead, they will have to pay in advance, or before midnight the day after their crossing, via a phone app or website.

There will also be options to pay by phone, or to pre-pay by cash or card at shops under the Paypoint scheme.

Prices for cars to cross the bridge will rise from £1.50 to £2 each way – though people with an account will save 25%. Those who fail to pay before or after crossing will be charged a £25 "administration" fee.

Bridge bosses say the new scheme will bring the Humber Bridge into line with other crossings in the UK.

We put key questions about the changes to the bridge's board.

Q: How will motorists who do not do online pay to cross the Humber?

A: Although the toll booths will go, the Bridge Board says you can still pay by cash or card, but you will have to do so either on the phone or via shops taking part in the Paypoint scheme.

To pay by phone, call 01482 235500. To pay via Paypoint, go to a shop taking part and ask to pay bridge fares. You'll need your vehicle registration number to hand.

Q: What will the new app and website look like? Will you just enter your registration and pay, or will you have to register for an account?

A: The Humber Bridge Board says drivers will have a choice of opening a pre-paid Humber Bridge Toll Account "to benefit from discounted toll fees", or purchase "guest crossings" if they only use the bridge occasionally. A vehicle registration number and email address, for the receipt, will be required.

Q: When will the new app be available?

A: The Bridge Board says the new app and payment portal on the website will be available when the new system goes live on Monday 2 February. Because the toll booths will close on 30 January, those crossing the bridge on the weekend of 31 January and 1 February will be asked to pay on 2-3 February (though motorists with existing, topped-up accounts will have the fare automatically deducted).

Q: Why are the tolls increasing if the Bridge Board is losing the staff required to sit in toll booths?

A: The Bridge Board says: "The toll fee has remained the same for 13 years, while all other costs have gone up, so we need to increase the toll to fund the operation and maintenance of the bridge.

"The Humber Bridge toll project isn't about saving money by reducing jobs. In fact our overall headcount has remained the same due to the increase in staff in the customer service team."

Q: Will there be signs or details on the bridge informing people of the changes and the phone number for paying?

A: The Bridge Board says information will be displayed on signs, adding: "We have also been handing out flyers to toll booth customers."

Q: When paying via PayPoint, will it be as simple as going to a participating shop, asking to pay bridge fees and giving them the registration number?

A: According to the Bridge Board, "it is as simple as that" and customers will be able to do it at any PayPoint shop.

Q: What happens if I don't pay?

A: According to the Bridge Board, customers who do not pay for their crossing in advance, or by midnight on the day after their crossing, "will trigger an unpaid toll notification" and be charged a £25 administration fee.

This means that, once the system is up and running, if you cross the Humber Bridge on a Monday, you have until midnight on Tuesday to pay the toll. The Bridge Board adds: "This applies seven days a week, including all Bank Holidays."

The Bridge Board says the administration fee is rising from £15 to £25 "due to the increased cost of recovering unpaid tolls".

Q: Can I pay immediately after crossing?

A: The Bridge Board says that, unlike the HumberTag system it replaces, the new system will allow customers to make instant payments after crossing. They will also be able to pay in advance.

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