Removal of Humber Bridge toll booths a step closer

The Humber Bridge was built in 1981 and is crossed by an average 33,000 vehicles a day

Plans to remove toll booths from the Humber Bridge are a step closer after the appointment of a US company to design a new "free-flowing" system.

The bridge board said it is going to be working with Neology on the new AI and number plate recognition technology.

The system will see booths removed for the first time in the bridge's 43-year history with payments being made through a new website and mobile app.

Staff working at the bridge will be able to apply for office jobs.

Richard Hannigan, chair of the Humber Bridge Board, said the move would deliver "significant improvements" for drivers and ensure payments are a "quick, easy and painless process."

Motorists currently pay £1.50 for a one-way journey across the bridge or £1.35 for drivers using an electronic tag introduced in 2015.

Payment of the toll went cashless in 2021 with drivers using cards or mobile phones to pay

The plan to remove toll booths was first announced in 2021 and the bridge has taken cashless payments since then.

Andrew Arundel, chief operating officer of the Humber Bridge, said: "The project is in the design stage and work will not begin on site for several months.

"Understandably there will be some concern it will generate a large amount of disruption for bridge users.

"Whereas this might be the case during some of the key moments in the project, the schedule of work will be designed to keep disruption to a minimum," Mr Arundel added.

As part of the project, people will be able to use cash to pay for crossings at "key locations" across the area, but no specific sites have been announced at this stage.

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