There has been a mixed response to the new Mersey crossing, with some people welcoming the new bridge but many bemoaning the costs.
Protests were staged; opposing the decision to implement tolls on both crossings before the new bridge opened.
Campaigners believe the extra transport costs will have a detrimental effect on the area and its economy.
Taxi drivers have complained that the toll will prove unpopular with their customers, because it will mean fare rises.
In the first month of opening, more than 50,000 drivers received a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN).
Some claimed to be unaware of how to pay the toll, since no signage of how to pay was evident, nor a telephone number supplied to pay the toll.
One driver who repeatedly used the bridge without paying the toll received 28 PCNs; totalling £616.
After claims that Merseyflow was in breach of both the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008, their PCNs were quashed on appeal in favour of a payment of £56 for the crossings made.

On 10 April 2018 it was announced that the outcome of an appeal against penalty charges heard by the Traffic Penalty Tribunal had concluded that the establishment of tolls and charges had not been properly implemented, as the Council had failed to correctly follow the required commencement processes, and failed to properly specify the charges for use.
 The Council's appeal was turned down, leading to annulment of charge notices in the period that the signage onto the bridge didn't comply with stated regulations.

During the Covid-19 lockdown period in 2020, an application by Halton Borough Council to suspend tolling operations was made to support key workers.
This was rejected by the Department for Transport despite the broad support of local MPs in March and again in April 2020.
There has been a mixed response to the new Mersey crossing, with some people welcoming the new bridge but many bemoaning the costs. Protests were staged; opposing the decision to implement tolls on both crossings before the new bridge opened. Campaigners believe the extra transport costs will have a detrimental effect on the area and its economy. Taxi drivers have complained that the toll will prove unpopular with their customers, because it will mean fare rises. In the first month of opening, more than 50,000 drivers received a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN). Some claimed to be unaware of how to pay the toll, since no signage of how to pay was evident, nor a telephone number supplied to pay the toll. One driver who repeatedly used the bridge without paying the toll received 28 PCNs; totalling £616. After claims that Merseyflow was in breach of both the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008, their PCNs were quashed on appeal in favour of a payment of £56 for the crossings made.
On 10 April 2018 it was announced that the outcome of an appeal against penalty charges heard by the Traffic Penalty Tribunal had concluded that the establishment of tolls and charges had not been properly implemented, as the Council had failed to correctly follow the required commencement processes, and failed to properly specify the charges for use.  The Council's appeal was turned down, leading to annulment of charge notices in the period that the signage onto the bridge didn't comply with stated regulations.
During the Covid-19 lockdown period in 2020, an application by Halton Borough Council to suspend tolling operations was made to support key workers. This was rejected by the Department for Transport despite the broad support of local MPs in March and again in April 2020.
Mersey Gateway Bridge