Electronic toll system to slash Humber Bridge journey times

Bridge users can have their payments taken electronically from a small device fitted to their windscreen, known as a ‘HumberTag’, with payments taken from their accounts as they cross the iconic structure.

The bridge will also be one of the first in the UK to have ‘open-road tolling’ lanes, with no barriers in place. There will initially be one free-flow lane in each direction, with plans to increase this to two.

Motorists will still have the option of paying cash and using pre-paid tickets, although pre-paid tickets will eventually be phased out.

Customers will also be able have their toll account automatically topped-up each time it reaches an agreed minimum balance.

The number of toll booths at the Humber Bridge will be reduced from six in each direction to three, with each booth featuring automatic barriers.

Work on the £5.2m project will begin on July 8 and is expected to be completed by winter 2014.

The Humber Bridge Board said there would be no job losses but that it was too early to say whether a switch to unmanned booths was planned.

Peter Hill, general manager and bridgemaster of the Humber Bridge, said: “The toll collection system currently in operation at the Humber Bridge has remained largely unchanged for the past 30 years, and still uses a 15 year-old computer system, along with obsolete equipment and programming technology which requires an increasing amount of maintenance.

“When faced with the unavoidable need to replace the system, we made it our aim to provide bridge users with the most convenient crossing experience possible and opted to bring in a new scheme which will offer a modern, innovative and sustainable solution for the future.

“Operating with efficient, reliable and proven technology, HumberTag will provide significant benefits to our customers, place the Humber Bridge at the forefront of innovation once more and allow us to maintain toll prices at their current reduced level for longer.”

He added: “As the work will include a replacement of the existing toll plaza, we may not be able to avoid some disruption and additional delay for our customers, particularly at peak times when it may prove impossible to maintain the minimal delays we strive to ensure.

“I would ask that motorists bear with us until the new system is fully implemented in autumn or winter 2014, but we will be bringing in measures to alleviate disruption to traffic as much as is practicable.

“Electronic toll systems have been successfully implemented in various locations around the world, and the UK, and we’re very pleased to be getting this exciting project underway.”

Board chairman, Coun Liz Redfern, said: “The new system will allow us to offer more choice to bridge users, as continuing to pay in cash will still be an option.

“The introduction of the HumberTag will ultimately reduce overheads and speed up the flow of traffic, so we see the move as a very positive step for both the bridge and its users.”

Signs advising motorists of the changes will be placed on the north and southbound carriageways. Books of tickets will still be available for collection by car drivers via the Ferriby Road entrance in Hessle.

Crossings of the bridge have increased since the toll price was halved in April last year, to £1.50 for a single crossing by car.

It had been the most expensive toll crossing in the UK, and campaigners for lower tolls had long argued that the fee was stifling the Humber economy.

The bridge, which was once the longest single-span suspension bridge in the world, was opened by the Queen in July, 1981.

It is now the seventh-longest of its type in the world.