Work has begun to introduce ‘free flow’ tolling on the Humber Bridge in an effort to reduce congestion.

The original toll plaza and technology systems were introduced when the bridge opened in 1981 and have not since been replaced. Reconfiguring the toll systems will cost £5.2M and work will complete late next year.

Three of the six toll booths used by traffic travelling in each direction will be subject to open tolling and the number of booths accepting cash will reduce by half. Highway and civil engineering works are being carried out by Britcon and technology specialist SICE is responsible for the toll implementation.

Drivers will attach a small tag to their windscreens which will be read electronically when they cross the bridge. These tags will be linked to a customer account which will be debited for each journey.

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

Drivers who apply for a tag to use the Humber Bridge will receive a 10% discount, whether they use a free flow lane or pass through a barrier.

Free flow tolling is to be introduced at the Dartford Crossing in October 2014.

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