Express & Star

Poll: Should the M6 Toll be opened up free when the M6 is forced to close?

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin has agreed to look into how the M6 Toll can be used during emergencies, after a fatal crash on the M6 closed part of the motorway causing hours of delays for drivers.

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The northbound stretch between junction 5 for Castle Bromwich and 6 for Birmingham was shut following the smash while two lanes on the southbound carriageway were also shut.

Emergency services were called to the M6 at around 1.55am yesterday. A 26-year-old driver of the blue Saab 9-3 was confirmed dead at the scene, while the lorry driver suffered minor injuries.

He told the Express & Star: "The M6 Toll is there, it was built by the private sector. How it used in accidents is something I will look at."

The motorway closure caused delays of up to four hours for drivers during the morning rush hour, continuing throughout the day.

The two lanes on the southbound carriageway reopened at 9am with the northbound stretch due to fully reopen at 10pm last night after work to resurface the road following an oil spill.

West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman Chris Kowalik said: "West Midlands Ambulance Service was called shortly before 1.55am Thursday morning to the northbound carriageway between junctions 5 and 6.

"A paramedic area support officer in a rapid response vehicle, an ambulance crew and the Medical Emergency Response Incident Team (MERIT) attended.

"The car driver was confirmed dead at the scene. The lorry driver was shaken but uninjured."

PC Chris Ridge from West Midlands Police's Collision Investigation Unit, said: "We understand there were other vehicles on that section of the motorway at the time who may have witnessed what led up to the collision or the impact itself.

"We have spoken to some drivers who stopped at the scene but it's important that anyone who was driving nearby at the time to get in touch.

"They may have a key bit of information that will help our investigation."

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