TOLL operations at the Warburton Toll Bridge will resume next week (Nov 5th) following major upgrade works.
From next Wednesday, November 5, tolls will once again apply to all vehicles crossing the bridge.
The online payment portal will be live from Friday, 31 October 2025, allowing customers to create and top up accounts ahead of tolls resuming. From this date, customers will be able to:
• Create and manage accounts
• Top up account balances
• View journey history
Toll charging will officially commence at 12:01 AM on Wednesday, 5 November 2025. From this time, all journeys will incur the applicable toll charges.
A dedicated mobile app is also in development for both iOS and Android. The app is in its final stages of completion and will be available soon – further updates will be shared once published.
A new discount scheme, approved by the Secretary of State for Transport in its 2023 report, will provide residents in Risley (WA3 6), Lymm (WA13 9) and Partington (M31 4) with 50% off the standard toll rate of £1 per journey, capped at £2 per day.
The reopening follows a major programme of upgrades to the bridge, including resurfacing, waterproofing, steel reinforcement, new signage and the introduction of digital payment technology. Income from tolls will continue to support ongoing maintenance and improvements, helping to keep the bridge safe and operational for all users.
A spokesperson for the Manchester Ship Canal Company said: “Following significant upgrade works, the bridge is set to reopen with modern digital systems. The new systems, including the online payment portal, make it easier than ever for drivers to manage their crossings quickly and securely. We encourage all users to set up their accounts ahead of tolls resuming, so they can enjoy a smooth return to normal operations.”
Residents can register online at www.warburtontollbridge.co.uk for more details, to manage accounts, and to sign up for regular email updates.
Meanwhile, residents living within a two mile radius of the toll bridge have been campaigning to be included in the discount scheme and received the backing of Warrington North MP Charlotte Nichols. Warrington Borough Council has also expressed disappointment.
A spokesperson for Peel said: ““We have advised the council that we are bound by the decision of the Department for Transport and we have no legal authority to change the scheme. Once the restart of tolls is complete, we remain very open to discussing with the council about how we move this forward with DFT.”
2 Comments
What’s frustrating is their local discount applies to Lymm and Birchwood – two towns that are miles from the bridge, but doesn’t apply to local towns Rixton, Cadishead, Glazebrook, or Irlam. I reached out to Peel to ask why and received no response. Apparently, the local discount only applies to places where Peel executives live.
Rixton does get the discount, They’ve used the postcodes for Rixton and Warburton ( WA3 6 and WA13 9) as they are next to the bridge. Those 2 postcodes also happen to include other areas like Birchwood and Risley so they’ve ended up getting the discount as well by default. Partington (M31 4) only got included because Trafford put a case forward during the enquiry in 2022 and managed to get it accepted.