MERSEY tunnel users who take advantage of the Fast Tag payment option have welcomed a priority lane at the Wallasey tunnel toll plaza.

The trial lanes – one in each direction - were introduced on Monday morning by operators Merseytravel, with new lane markings directing drivers to the appropriate toll booths.

During the trial, Merseytravel staff will be monitoring the effect the lanes have on general traffic flow and if successful, a similar scheme is set to be introduced at the Birkenhead tunnel toll plaza too.

The intention is that they will be available 24/7, but could be removed during the trial while officers get used to the impact on traffic and traffic flow.

Fast Tag users will be able to continue using the cash toll lanes during the trial, including both the auto and attended ones.

Gary Evans, Merseytravel’s head of customer delivery said: “We’ve been working on introducing a priority lane to improve our service for Fast Tag users based on feedback and suggestions we’ve received. We are really pleased that we are now able to begin this trial and the initial feedback we’ve had has been very positive.

“Fast Tag offers a great saving on the normal toll price and we would encourage anyone who is a regular tunnel user to register for one and take advantage of the savings it presents.”

Merseytravel encourages regular users of the tunnels to get a Fast Tag – an electronic pre-payment system which motorists can pay by monthly direct debit and top-up when needed – with users able to save 30p per journey and avoiding the need to keep change on them.

Almost four in 10 journeys are currently made using a Fast Tag with the highest concentration of users from Wirral and Liverpool, meaning it effectively also acts as a local discount.

Fast Tag equipment is installed one every toll lane at both the Birkenhead and Wallasey tunnels.

Following the start of the trial yesterday, tunnel users took to Twitter to share their views.

Alan (Innova8) Robson said: “@Merseytravel Fasttag Only Lanes...welcome to the 21st Century! First positive thing I’ve seen you lot do!”

Louis Leighton-Davies wrote: “@Merseytravel loving the fast tag only lane!”

But while many welcomed the move, some questioned how effective it would be.

Amiga Kid said: “@Merseytravel I hope that enough people will notice and not be confused by the lane, I only spotted it at the last moment!”

What do you think about the Fast Tag only lanes? Have your say in the comments below.