ALMOST a year after major upgrade works were announced, normal operations are due to resume on Warburton Toll Bridge, with tolls expected to come into effect again on Thursday, 25 September.
Major improvements have been carried out over the last few months to modernise the bridge and ensure seamless connectivity between Trafford and Warrington.
The former 12p toll rate, which was one of the lowest in England and set by an Act of Parliament in 1863 has increased to £1, although a 50% concessions will be available in the local area.
Upgrades include full road resurfacing, steel reinforcement, deck waterproofing, vegetation clearance, signage and the installation of new technology to facilitate digital payments.
The bridge toll – which has also been suspended for all users since works began in October last year – will now apply again.
The cost is £1 per passage for all applicable vehicles and will be capped at a maximum of £2 per day
The new toll will cover future maintenance and repair work required to ensure the bridge remains safe and operational.
A discount scheme has also been introduced for local residents, with Risley (WA3 6), Lymm (WA13 9) and Partington (M31 4) postcodes entitled to a 50% discount.
The works took place following approval from the Department for Transport to upgrade the bridge and update the toll rate, the outcome of an inquiry held by the Department into the matter in 2022.
A spokesperson for the Manchester Ship Canal Company said: “The works carried out on the Warburton Toll Bridge will significantly reduce congestion in the area, improve traffic flows and provide a more efficient crossing system.
“Road users in Warrington and Trafford have long demanded a modern crossing that meets their needs, and that is what has been delivered. We remain grateful to residents and road users for their patience while we carried out this essential upgrade, which will vastly improve the service.”
More information is available from www.warburtontollbridge.co.uk with an option to register for email updates
5 Comments
Strictly speaking the bridge shown in the photograph is not the tolled bridge. The toll actually relates to the very much smaller and shorter bridge over a dried up stream near to what was the old toll booth. The only “new” work carried out on the actual Warburton bridge has been some road resurfacing.
Now that’s an interesting comment, can anyone verify?
See document prepared by Helen Wilson Consultancy Limited
https://www.hwa.uk.com › site › uploads › 2022/07
PDF
In 1867, the Rixton and Warburton Bridge is built, and is in use – it’s now the ‘Warburton Toll Bridge’, crossing the river Mersey. This Act Page 10 “Permits …
12
Whatever the arguments for and against this, the original toll was for the old stone bridge and should have been scrapped years ago anyway.
Motorists are taxed and charged to the hilt as it is.
The increase is obscene 12p to £1, between peel holdings and local and national government something needs to be sorted out to stop this total ‘ Dick Turpin Highway Robbery !’ Of the hard working public/ Motorists.
Look at what happened to the isle of Skye bridge from the mainland to the island! Some people went to prison and in the end the government bought out the company that built it and now it’s free.
Mark my words- I’ve seen the ANPR cameras ready – thousands of people will receive the usual £100 fine through the post as soon as this charging starts in September.
I for one will never use that bridge again!
I’d be making the multi billion pound empire of Peel Holdings pay for everything and scrapped this victorian stupid toll of a bygone age !!!
I want to know why the ‘local discount’ includes Lymm and Birchwood, but doesn’t include Rixton, Cadishead or Irlam. It stinks of corruption.