Deal to allow M6 Toll to be open for free in times of crisis extended

Operation Freeway gives the government's transport secretary the power to open up the toll when there is major disruption on nearby routes.

The agreement expired at the end of last month, but Midland Expressway chief executive Andy Pearson told the Express & Star that a new short-term deal has been agreed up until September 30.

"Operation Freeway is extended for six months from the end of March," he said.

Mr Pearson added that talks were ongoing with a group including Highways England, the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson and the region's independent transport authority (ITA) to come up with 'a better mechanism' for the running of the scheme.

It comes after Mr Jamieson had called for powers to open the toll to be extended beyond the government in the wake of a fatal crash between junctions 5 and 6 of the M6 on February 4.

Mr Pearson said: "It is up to them to discuss with the government how they want to play this in the future.

"We also have the West Midlands Combined Authority coming up, which will also have an impact on decision making.

"For the moment the agreement remains in place but in terms of future developments we are all ears."

Highways England came under fire following the February M6 smash, which led to a stretch of the road being closed for 24 hours and miles of tailbacks.

After an inquiry into the road closure it was revealed that agencies had decided against triggering Operation Freeway.

It costs around £300,000 to open the toll as part of the deal, although Mr Pearson said it would also lead to additional lost revenue for the company due to increased traffic using the route free of charge.

Meanwhile no firm bids have been received for the motorway, which was put on the market earlier this year by the consortium of banks that own it.

The 27- strong group bought into the £900 million route after it was re-financed in 2006 after a period blighted by financial losses.

Bosses say the M6 Toll is now on a sound financial footing, with usage figures rising sharply in recent years.

Mr Pearson said: "The business is doing so well that it is a strong time to sell. There has been lots of interest but it is very early days.

"At the moment there is nothing of consequence to report."