Halton Merseyflow Gateway Bridge Toll PCN, Bailiff

Authority: Mersey Gateway
PCN number: MF11757010
Vehicle registration: Ks18 SYG
Contravention: Failure to pay toll within time period
Location: Mersey Gateway Bridge Southbound
Date of contravention: 03/04/2026
Date PCN issued: 16/04/2026
Current stage: Bailiff

---

My case:

I crossed this bridge under the belief I was covered because I was in credit on my online account after deliberately paying a few extra quid in previous months. Only problem is when I had done that, I had a different car, so my account details weren't linked to this car. So a PCN arrived.

I didn't ignore it, I made a representation online explaining why I hadn't paid and asking if it was possible to be resolved using credit on my account. If they said no, I would have paid the £25 PCN. Now see the attached image which I put together to remind myself of what happened. But the next I heard from Merseyflow was a postal letter for an Order for recovery for £88.40 (In  August; not sure of the exact date, I seem to have lost the cover letter). Which took me by surprise - so I then must have searched through my emails for any correspondence from them and found an email they'd sent on 22nd May 2026 (but I didn't get a postal version).

This is where it looks like I've made another mistake. I've responded to the letter attached to the email as though I'd just got it, so I sent the information they were asking for (my bridge account number) to the postal address they requested it to. Then, on October 1st, they've sent a letter responding to the information I provided saying I've sent it outside the permitted time given and are unable to consider it. Followed by a Notice of enforcement letter 4 days later for a now total sum of £167.40.

I know I've made mistakes in the process and probably don't have a leg to stand on now it's gone to bailiffs stage, but sharing the scenario anyway incase anybody in a similar position comes looking for information, they can see the advice. And I'm just seeing what the advice is now it's at this stage.

Thank you for anyone who takes the time to read this and respond.

All the best

---
Link to image of letters and correspondence timeline.

https://imgpile.com/p/qPAGRFo



https://imgpile.com/p/qPAGRFo

You should have received a Charge Certificate after refusal of your reps, (neither of which you seem to have received). The Order for Recovery is the final stage in the enforcement process, which you unfortunately mishandled. What a pity you didn't come on this forum a lot earlier ! Anyway, all may not yet be lost. You can submit an Out-of-Time Witness Statement that you submitted representations but did not receive a letter of rejection.

What puzzles me is you received the PCN, but nothing else until you received the Order for Recovery.  You should have received a Charge Certificate before the Order for Recovery. Is the address on your V5C Registration Certificate for the car up-to-date and correct in all details ?

What you should do now is download the relevant forms from the TEC website, Two are needed; (1) the Witness Statement and (2) the form to request to submit the WS out-of-time. As for the bailiffs, I recommend you pay them now to freeze your liability, because if they visit you, they will add on another £25 to the £75 they have charged in addition to the PCN debt. If your OOT WS is accepted, and this is by no means guaranteed, you will get that money back, but the PCN remains outstanding at the full penalty rate.

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/traffic-enforcement-centre-forms
The forms you need are the TE7 and TE9

Can't read any of your attachments.

 The Compliance Stage fee in your case should be £79 as the case could not have been passed to an enforcement company before 1 May 2026.


County Court Bailiffs, Council Tax, and CRAR (Commercial Rent)

• Stage 1: Compliance – £79 (writing to inform you of the debt and issuing a Notice of Enforcement).
• Stage 2: Enforcement – £247 (visiting your home or business to take control of goods) plus 7.5% on any portion of the debt over £1,900.
• Stage 3: Sale and Disposal – £116 (removing and selling your belongings) plus 7.5% on any portion of the debt over £1,900.
(For cases passed to enforcement companies before 1 May 2026, the older rates of £75 compliance, £235 enforcement + 7.5% over £1,500, and £110 sale + 7.5% over £1,500 still apply)

Can't read any of your attachments.

 The Compliance Stage fee in your case should be £79 as the case could not have been passed to an enforcement company before 1 May 2026.


County Court Bailiffs, Council Tax, and CRAR (Commercial Rent)

• Stage 1: Compliance – £79 (writing to inform you of the debt and issuing a Notice of Enforcement).
• Stage 2: Enforcement – £247 (visiting your home or business to take control of goods) plus 7.5% on any portion of the debt over £1,900.
• Stage 3: Sale and Disposal – £116 (removing and selling your belongings) plus 7.5% on any portion of the debt over £1,900.
(For cases passed to enforcement companies before 1 May 2026, the older rates of £75 compliance, £235 enforcement + 7.5% over £1,500, and £110 sale + 7.5% over £1,500 still apply)

I seem to have missed a '0' on the amount for a bailiff visit, (£250).

It's £79 and £257 respectively in this case.

Ugly numbers which don't trip off the tongue like £75 and £235.

That's progress!

It's £79 and £257 respectively in this case.

Ugly numbers which don't trip off the tongue like £75 and £235.

That's progress!

The increase is presumably for inflation, because the original amounts were statutory, and in the controlling Act, I believe. Yes, Hard to remember for us oldies

No, the bailiff visit is £247 not £257.

From 1 May 2026:

Compliance fee: £79
Enforcement fee: £247
Sale fee: £116

As tincombe has already posted.

Can't read any of your attachments.

Neither can I....