LEGAL ORDERS AND BYELAWS

The Mersey Gateway Road User Charging Scheme Order (RUCSO) for the Mersey Gateway Bridge and the Silver Jubilee Bridge. provides the legal framework that allows Halton Borough Council to:

• Set and collect road user charges (tolls) for vehicles using the crossings.
• Define the charging structure, including vehicle classifications and charge levels.
• Specify exemptions and discount schemes, such as those available to eligible local users.
• Establish enforcement powers and penalty charges for non-payment.

The current RUCSO is the Road User Charging Scheme Order 2025, which you can view below.

The Mersey Gateway Transport and Works Act Order, also known as The River Mersey (Mersey Gateway Bridge) Order 2011, is the legal order that authorised the construction, operation and financing of the Mersey Gateway Bridge project.

Its main purposes of the order were to:

• Authorise the construction and maintenance of the new Mersey Gateway Bridge and its associated highway works.
• Provide powers to acquire land, including compulsory purchase powers where land was required for the project.
• Authorise the operation and management of the bridge once built.
• Authorize the charging of tolls for use of the bridge and establish the framework for concession and financing arrangements.

View the Transport & Works Act Order – Feb 2011 below.

Further information in relation to the Order and its background can be found in the Documents library section.

As a requirement of the legislation surrounding the Mersey Gateway Project, Halton Borough Council shall make and enforce byelaws for the regulation and operation of the Mersey Gateway Bridge and approach roads.

Byelaws are standard across estuarial crossings, tunnels and bridges in the UK.

In general terms, byelaws are there to regulate traffic and to exclude certain types of vehicles subject to special controls. The byelaws also prohibit damage and nuisance and in respect of the Mersey Gateway Project, define the area over which tolls are required and allow penalties for contravention.

View the Mersey Gateway Byelaws 2016 below.