M6 toll charges to soar
Motorists who use the M6 Toll motorway through the Midlands are to be hit by price rises from January 1. Send us your view by clicking hereMotorists who use the M6 Toll motorway through the Midlands are to be hit by price rises from January 1. Send us your view by clicking here The cost of cars using the motorway, which runs through Lichfield and Cannock, and exiting at either end, will be £4 instead of £3.50. People leaving at toll stations along the route will pay £3 instead of £2.50 and vans and lorries will face an £8 day rate. Read the full story in the Express & Star Your comments: "Surely this will drive down the number of motorists using the Toll Road. I thought that more people were needed to use it!" Simon Porter, Lichfield "I regularly travel to Aldridge via the M1 & M6 and M6 toll to visit my elderly mother. Why is it that when exiting at the Lichfield A38 turnoff I pay £2.50 and on the return it costs £3.50 for the same journey? Surely they should be making a under used toll more attractive as opposed to price prohibitive." Dennis Cooper, Harpenden, Herts
Send us your view by clicking here
The cost of cars using the motorway, which runs through Lichfield and Cannock, and exiting at either end, will be £4 instead of £3.50.
People leaving at toll stations along the route will pay £3 instead of £2.50 and vans and lorries will face an £8 day rate.
Motorcyclists and car drivers with trailers will not be affected. It is the second rate increase since the M6 Toll opened in December 2003.
Tom Fanning, chief executive of Midland Expressway Ltd (MEL), which operates the road, defended the increases and said it was excellent value for money.
"The M6 Toll, Britain's first privately funded motorway, continues to be the most reliable route through the West Midlands, bypassing the congested M6," he said.
"Since opening in December 2003, millions of customers have enjoyed the improved reliability and time savings the road delivers for their journey.
"The M6 Toll is a convenient, stress-free, free-flowing alternative, and we believe the new toll schedule remains excellent value for money."
Mr Fanning said signs would be improved next year and MEL was working with the Highways Agency in a bid to better signs on roads surrounding the toll road.
MEL is also working with the Highways Agency to improve the merge with the M42 and to plan a link to the M54.
"All these measures will enhance a great service for the benefit of our customers," added Mr Fanning.
By Victoria Hoe
Your comments: "Surely this will drive down the number of motorists using the Toll Road. I thought that more people were needed to use it!" Simon Porter, Lichfield
"I regularly travel to Aldridge via the M1 & M6 and M6 toll to visit my elderly mother. Why is it that when exiting at the Lichfield A38 turnoff I pay £2.50 and on the return it costs £3.50 for the same journey? Surely they should be making a under used toll more attractive as opposed to price prohibitive." Dennis Cooper, Harpenden, Herts
"In response to your recent article on the M6 Toll prices rising, I have to advise that the authorities in charge should take a leaf out of those in charge of running the QE2 bridge in Dartford, Kent." Teresa Hatton
