As of Monday 8th November 2022, the temporary lights and cones have been removed. At the time of this update, the Manchester Ship Canal Company do not appear to have issued a statement, though there are reports from the Toll Change Inquiry that the reason is that the investigations showed no need to reduce the weight limit on the Cantilever Bridge at this time.
The Toll was reinstated on Monday 14th November 2022 (after a brief period when an update appeared on the Warburton Toll Bridge website stating that the toll would return on the 14th December - e.g. a month out).
From late July the Warburton Toll Bridge website stated: "Update 27th July 2022 - Warburton Toll Bridge Payment - Temporarily Suspended
Following a routine engineering inspection, we have installed temporary traffic lights and single-lane traffic, and have removed all toll charges on Warburton Toll Bridge. The bridge remains fully operational and safe, although the toll booth and staff are not needed whilst a single-lane is enforced. We expect this to take up to three months.
Discussions regarding the ongoing maintenance and repair of Warburton Toll Bridge continue and plans are currently under review, submitted as part of the Transport and Works Act Order"
The traffic lights and single lane restriction were in place for just over 3 months, removed co-incidentally on the first day of the Toll change inquiry. Presumably the Toll will be re-introduced now that the restrictions have been removed.
To address what appear to be incorrect / speculative rumours, the following announcement has been issued by Peel (owners of the Manchester Ship Canal Company, and Warburton Bridge Road):
(26th July 2022):
"A spokesperson for the Manchester Ship Canal Company said:
“Following a routine engineering inspection, we have installed temporary traffic lights and single-lane traffic, and have removed all toll charges on Warburton Toll Bridge. The bridge remains fully operational and safe, although the toll booth and staff are not needed whilst a single-lane is enforced. We expect this to take up to three months.
Discussions regarding the ongoing maintenance and repair of Warburton Toll Bridge continue and plans are currently under review, submitted as part of the Transport and Works Act Order”
Warburton Toll Bridge Administrator
(Please note my days of work are Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday)"