TYNE Tunnel bosses have said drivers will no longer need to wait several minutes between signing up for an account and making their journey once changes come in.
Those in charge of the tunnels have confirmed the current wait time for drivers creating an online ‘prepaid’ account and using the tunnel will not apply beyond November.
Currently, drivers creating or topping up their prepaid account must wait up to ten minutes before the system will deduct the required amount and let them through.
Read more: A19: Tyne Tunnel to STOP accepting cash and will remove toll booths
A statement on the Tyne Tunnel website states that this delay is to ensure there is enough time for payments to be processed and then become available.
In the past, some drivers have publicly complained over potential delays to their journey when they have attempted to travel before the ten-minute period.
One driver said they were left waiting at a barrier until the system allowed them to travel after recently signing up.
But now the Tyne Tunnel has confirmed the delay will no longer “factor” once the new system comes in as drivers will be able to drive through without stopping.
On social media, they said drivers with pre-paid accounts will see their toll deducted by midnight the next day as long as there is credit.
It comes as the tunnels will stop accepting cash in November, of which an exact date has not yet been confirmed.
Instead, drivers will have three main options including a pre-paid account, to pay later online by midnight the next day, or by settling the owed amount at a PayPoint.
The move has been described as part of plans to “speed up travel time and reduce congestion,” while bosses have said toll booths will be completely removed.
However, the move has proved controversial with some earlier this week raising concerns over increased risk of forgetting to pay the toll, and to tourists unfamiliar with the area.
A Northern Echo poll, which has seen more than 2,000 take part, revealed an overwhelming majority appeared to be against the removal of cash payments.
Almost 75 percent of those taking part said they did not agree with the changes coming into force in the next two months.
Tyne Tunnel bosses previously said the removal of toll booths is necessary as part of plans to progress to ‘Open Road Tolling,’ which is used by other tolled roads such as the Dartford crossing.
In a statement, they said: “Not needing to stop at the toll plazas will reduce journey times and congestion for everyone.
“Following improvements to the Silverlink Bypass road infrastructure, and ongoing improvements at Testo’s roundabout with the new A19 flyover, your journey along the A19 will be smoother than ever.”
For more information visit the Tyne Tunnel website - click here
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