Man Faces £20K Toll Fines for Car Sold Five Years Ago

A man is facing a staggering £20,000 in toll fines for a vehicle he sold five years ago. Craig Pedder, aged 38, returned to his home in Runcorn, Cheshire, to find 138 envelopes demanding payments for tolls associated with the Mersey Gateway bridge.

Details of the Fines

Each letter demanded £147 for toll crossings linked to a white Ford Focus that Craig sold in April 2021. The fines were delivered on January 26, 2026, and originated from a debt collection agency rather than directly from Merseyflow, the toll operator.

Background of the Situation

• The fines spanned from December 2023 to November 2024, totaling £20,286.
• Craig claims he completed the necessary DVLA transfer when selling the vehicle, eliminating his responsibility for any future fines.
• His daughter found the situation amusing initially, but Craig became increasingly concerned as he opened the envelopes.

Local User Discount Scheme (LUDS)

Merseyflow operates the Local User Discount Scheme, allowing Halton residents to cross the toll bridge without charge after paying a £12 annual fee. Craig’s plan lapsed in December 2023 and was not renewed, which led to the excessive fines.

Response from Merseyflow

A spokesperson explained the new account rules after a plan expires. If not renewed, toll accounts switch to a pre-pay status, making motorists liable for crossing charges. Craig updated his vehicle details in June 2024 but did not provide proof to renew the LUDS, resulting in cancellation in August 2024.

Even though his LUDS plan was reinstated in April 2025, the fines persisted due to a lack of necessary documentation proving the sale of the vehicle. The company stated the volume of envelopes was due to Craig moving without informing the DVLA, resulting in confusion over address changes.

Craig’s Reaction

Craig described the situation as overwhelming and has been feeling stressed and anxious. He reported receiving over 500 text messages and 135 letters from the debt collection agency regarding the fines. Despite not doing anything wrong, he feels guilty and harassed.

Advice for Motorists

Merseyflow advises all motorists to ensure that their toll accounts and DVLA information are accurate and current to avoid similar issues in the future.