The traffic at the Birkenhead tunnels was getting heavier and was causing congestion throughout Birkenhead, this was compounded by the traffic lights inside the tunnel for the Birkenhead dock branch. The whole thing needed replanning which included creating the various flyovers.
The north bound Chester Street traffic had to cut across the A41 Southbound traffic from the tunnels and so a tunnel was built under the A41 rather than a set of traffic light backing the southbound traffic into the tunnel area.
The northbound Chester Street traffic was to try and avoid putting the docks and Wallasey traffic through the centre of town.
At the same time all the toll booths were moved to the Birkenhead side, because the land was cheaper.
Plans were approved in 1966 and the whole scheme was completed by July 1969.
We don't do charity in Germany, we pay taxes. Charity is a failure of governments' responsibilities - Henning Wehn
As the Tunnels technically transport people across the water, I was always led to believe that the toll booths were located solely on the Wirral side of both tunnels because the Royal charter was granted to the monks in 1330 for transporting people across the river. This charter also still applies to the Mersey ferry boats. No fares are collected on the Liverpool side of the river.
Toll booths used to be both sides of the River from the day the Queensway tunnel opened. Liverpool bound traffic paid in Birkenhead, Birkenhead bound traffic paid in Liverpool.
We don't do charity in Germany, we pay taxes. Charity is a failure of governments' responsibilities - Henning Wehn
