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Humber Bridge Board confirms the new toll system will now be launched in the new year

The Humber Bridge Board has announced that the launch of its new tolling system will be moved to early 2026 to ensure a smooth, reliable rollout.

The Board said the decision has been made in the interests of bridge users, allowing extra time for final testing and ensuring the system is fully ready before going live.

Humber Bridge Toll – the name given to the new system – is now expected to be launched in February 2026, giving bridge users more time to plan for the changes ahead.

Andrew Arundel, Chief Executive of the Humber Bridge, said: “We are committed to ensuring the new system is ready and will deliver all the benefits and improvements we want our customers to have, this is why the testing stage is critical to ensure that when it does go live, we can be confident it will work as intended.”

“As a result, we’ve made the decision to push the launch of Humber Bridge Toll back to the new year, allowing extra time for all testing to be completed.

“Not only will this ensure a smooth rollout, it also means that the recently announced increase in toll fees will not happen until the new year, when the system goes live.”

The new system utilises the latest tolling technologies and automatic number plate recognition (ANPR), and will automatically take payment from Humber Bridge users who have a Humber Bridge Toll account.

Other payment methods—including a new customer-friendly website, payment app, and the ability to pay in cash at PayPoint locations across the region—will also be introduced when the system goes live.

Once completed, the Humber Bridge Toll project will also see the removal of the remaining toll booths.

This will help to make crossing easier and more efficient and make paying quicker and more intuitive.

Earlier this year, the Humber Bridge released a series of downloadable guides to raise awareness of the new system and how it works.

The guides, which are aimed at Humber Bridge account holders, guest users, business users, and concessionary users, can be downloaded for free here: https://new.humberbridge.co.uk/nts-hub/

Download your guide to the new Humber Bridge tolling system

Today we’re announcing some extremely exciting news.

The countdown to the new tolling system at the Humber Bridge – called Humber Bridge Toll – has officially started.

With the new system set to go live later in the year, we’ve released a series of downloadable guides to answer your questions about why we’re introducing it, how it will work, and what you need to do.

There is an individual guide for HumberTAG account users, guest drivers (those without a HumberTAG account), business and fleet users, and drivers who qualify for our Mobility Concessions Scheme.

You can download your free guide here:

•       HumberTAG account users https://new.humberbridge.co.uk/humber-tag-holder-guide/
•       Guest drivers https://new.humberbridge.co.uk/guest-guide/
•       Business users https://new.humberbridge.co.uk/business-and-fleet-guide/
•       Concessions https://new.humberbridge.co.uk/concessions-guide/

The new system utilises key technologies including automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) and artificial intelligence and will automatically take payment from Humber Bridge users who have a Humber Bridge Toll account. 

Other payment methods, including a new customer-friendly website, payment app, payments via phone, and the ability to pay in cash at Paypoint locations across the region, will also be introduced. 

Andrew Arundel, Chief Executive Officer of the Humber Bridge, said the guides offered the clearest and easiest way for bridge users to access the information they needed to know about the changes in one place. 

He said: “Today marks the start of the countdown to the launch of the new tolling system at the Humber Bridge. It’s an exciting development in the bridge’s history and one that will enable everyone to cross without having to stop at the toll booths, as well as introducing more ways to pay.

“However, we realise that bridge users, whether everyday commuters, occasional users, business users or those crossing for medical reasons, will have lots of questions about the changes and how they will impact on the way they cross.

“We want to make it as easy as we possibly can for people to get those answers, so we have created a range of guides that people can download, read in their own time, and share with family members and friends, so everyone knows what to expect and do.

“The guides are simple to download – you won’t be asked for an email address or any other information to access them – and provide clear guidance on how the new system will work.”

The guides will also shortly be available in print form at key locations across the region including local libraries. 

As well as updating how people pay to cross the Humber Bridge, the new system will see the removal of the toll booths. 

Once the system goes live, all traffic crossing the Humber Bridge will be directed through the current HumberTAG lanes which will be widened to two lanes on both the southbound and northbound carriageways. 

The roads that currently lead to the toll booths will be permanently closed for use by Humber Bridge vehicles and abnormal loads only.

We have planned works scheduled for this week on the bridge. From 8pm on Thursday, 29th May, to 5am on Friday, 30th May, the Tag lanes will be closed as we install the gantry for the New Tolling System (NTS).

This marks a significant milestone in the NTS project, signalling the completion of the first phase of civil engineering works that began earlier this year. Work on the NTS will continue over the coming months, with a full launch expected in late autumn.

Throughout the works, you will still be able to cross the bridge in either direction, whether or not you have a HumberTag. However, you will only be able to use the toll booth lanes. Please allow extra time for your journey if you are travelling during this period.

We apologise to HumberTag customers for any inconvenience caused: please remember that our colleagues are here to help so please treat them with respect.

Work on free flowing tolling system to get underway at Humber Bridge

WORK to install a state-of-the-art free flow tolling system at the Humber Bridge is set to get underway later this month, with the project due to go live in autumn. 

Phase one of the civil engineering and highway works, which includes the construction of a new tolling gantry spanning all lanes on the bridge, will start on March 17 and last for 10 weeks.

The work will be followed by extensive testing of the new system throughout the summer before official launch in autumn, after which, attention will turn to the removal of the remaining toll booth infrastructure

The works are set to last around 30 weeks in total, and cones will be in place on the bridge from mid-March until the work is completed in autumn or early winter.

However, to ensure traffic disruption is kept to a minimum, the majority of work will be carried out at night and no daytime lane closures are expected as a result of installing the new tolling system.

Andrew Arundel, Chief Executive Officer at the Humber Bridge, said the start of the work marked an exciting countdown to fully automated tolling.

Mr Arundel said: “We’re delighted to announce the start of works on the new, automated tolling system, which will significantly enhance user experience at the Humber Bridge. 

“By completely overhauling the payment process, crossing the bridge will be easier and payment will be much more convenient.

“We’re determined to ensure that while the works are ongoing, bridge users will not be inconvenienced. Whereas some traffic management measures will be in place throughout the duration of the works, these are likely to include narrowing the lanes rather than closing them, to ensure traffic can keep moving.”

Mr Arundel added the multi-million pound scheme will utilise key technologies including artificial intelligence and automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) to monitor traffic crossing the bridge. 

It will also increase the requirement for back-office staff, meaning operatives currently working in the toll booths will be offered the opportunity to apply for new roles within the organisation. 

As well as improving crossing at the bridge, customers will enjoy improved payment options via a new website or mobile app.

Those wishing to pay with cash will be able to do so via Paypoint at key locations across the region.

Mr Arundel added: “The project will make all aspects of using the Humber Bridge easier and more efficient, from not having to stop at a toll booth to paying for your crossing.

“Once it goes live, we feel bridge users will really appreciate the improvements it brings.” 

The work is being carried out by McCann Ltd on behalf of main contractor Neology.