M6 Toll shunned as charges rise

It opened in 2003 amid a blaze of publicity after a £900 million construction project, hailed as the future of road transport in Britain.

But today the M6 Toll is constantly criticised for its lower than expected levels of use, and there have been calls for it to be nationalised.

Passenger figures have fallen since reaching a peak of 55,000 a day in 2006, when it was boosted by roadworks on the M6.

Last month operators Midland Expressway Limited said peak time tolls would increase to £4.70 for cars and £9.40 for lorries. At the same time the firm revealed just 43,000 drivers a day were using the road during the summer.

When Alistair Darling – then Transport Secretary, now Chancellor – opened the 27-mile route five years ago it was thought drivers would flock to a free-flowing motorway alternative to the clogged M6 through Birmingham and the, Black Country. Traffic figures of 75,000 vehicles a day were expected.

But initial toll rates of £11 for lorries kept haulage firms away. Although that fee was later reduced, it has edged up again over recent years.

Paul McLean, transport manager at Coven haulage firm K Transport Services, said: "With 63 trucks on the go every day, we can't afford to use it. We occasionally get a call from one of our drivers who is running a late or stuck in traffic, asking for authorisation, but it has to be an emergency for us to allow a driver to use the M6 Toll.

"It doesn't really help us in the West Midlands – it seems mostly tailored drivers heading south from the north. The only people I know who use it are trying to avoid delays on the M6 to get to Birmingham International Airport."

At the Road Haulage Association, which represents 9,500 drivers and companies, spokeswoman Kate Gibbs said: "At times like this, when haulage companies are trying to save every penny, they can't even consider extra expense on a journey.

"It is a wonderful road and offers an alternative to congestion on the M6, but people don't want to pay extra just to get from A to B. It was the first toll road, and if it was an experiment it has not been as successful as one might have hoped."

Initial enthusiasm for the clear road has paled for ordinary drivers too. Hugh Bladon, of the Association of British Drivers, said: "My understanding is that there are times when it is almost completely empty. They might get more people if they were to remove the 70mph speed limit and make it more like a less-restricted German autobahn."

John Murray, president of Walsall Chamber of Commerce, said: "We are seeing our local roads just as busy as ever and the stretch of tarmac that was supposed to solve the problem remains dramatically under-used.

"It can be argued that the M6 Toll is a failed experiment in that it has failed to ease congestion."

Midland Expressway Ltd boss Tom Fanning today defended the toll motorway, saying an average of 45,000 vehicles every day had been taken from the M6.

"I would consider this a great achievement and our loyal customers have embraced the concept of a tolled motorway as it ensures absolute reliability through the dedication of my staff."

And he defended the rise in toll prices because of the need to secure a return on the £900 million investment.

Mr Fanning added: "Increasing tolls is not a decision we take lightly. In fact, this is only the fourth time since opening that we have made this adjustment.

"The road was built by the private sector with huge risks undertaken particularly with regard to traffic levels. The investment in building the road and the costs of operating it and maintaining our premier service and free flow must be part of the consideration when setting the toll rate."