Changes for Tyne Tunnel drivers as toll booths torn down
Work is starting on the next phase of modernising the river crossing
Last updated 30th Nov 2021
The familiar sight of the blue and orange toll plazas at the Tyne Tunnels will soon be gone - as works start on the next phase of modernising the major river crossing.
The toll plazas, which span eight lanes, are being demolished to allow a new, more efficient road layout to be created.
The road works are due to complete in spring 2022.
This is the second phase of the Tyne Pass project which saw open road tolling introduced at the tunnels on 8 November, whereby customers drive straight through and either pre-pay or pay after their journey.
The northbound toll plazas at Wallsend will be the first to be dismantled. Soon, customers travelling north will be filtered into lane numbers 7 and 8, as part of two continuous lanes heading through the tunnels.
To help ease congestion, some of the structure has already been removed to create wider lanes to pass through.
The northbound tunnel will be closed on Friday 3 December at 10pm until Monday 6 December at 5am. During this time, the southbound tunnel will be operating as bi-directional.
Shaun Simmons, Customer Operations Manager at TT2, who operate the tunnels on behalf of the North East Combined Authority, said:
“The works to dismantle the toll plazas will be completed as quickly as possible and we are managing the road to ensure minimal disruption to drivers.
“Any changes, like these, will naturally take a little getting used to, but the plaza removal will, when complete, make journeys faster and smoother.
“We will continue to monitor the traffic flow and keep drivers informed of the progress.”
Drivers no longer have to stop at toll plazas, they simply drive straight through and either pre-pay or pay by midnight the day after their journey.
Drivers can pay online at tt2.co.uk, over an automated phone line on 01915740030 or at PayPoint retailers. They can also set up a Pre-paid account with auto top-up and save 10% on every journey.
Around 75% of customers now use a pre-paid account to pay for their journeys. Having a pre-paid account is the most convenient way for customers to pay as the toll is automatically deducted from the account balance. Pre-paying also makes each journey 10% cheaper and is free to set up and use.
To find out more about Tyne Pass, visit www.tynepass.co.uk.