Hauliers defiant as M6 Toll fees to rise

Haulage companies today hit out at the latest price rises on the M6 Toll and insisted they will carry on avoiding it when charges go up.

The road's operators, Midland Expressway Ltd, have announced they are to increase their fees again, but have not given a reason.

Prices will go up for motorists from Thursday, March 1, with car users being charged £5.50 to use the motorway between 6am and 11pm Monday to Friday – an increase of 20p.

Those driving the full length of the route will have to pay the higher rates while those only using part of the route will pay the lower rates. Drivers of HGVs, vans and cars towing trailers will need to pay 40p extra between the same times.

Drivers of cars pulling trailers will be charged £10; and van drivers will have to pay £11, as will HGV motorists. So far, M6 Toll bosses have remained silent about why the increases are taking place, refusing to issue a statement until Monday.

Many nearby haulage companies say they have already stopped using the motorway because of previous price increases, adding that the new fares make them even more unlikely to make use of the route.

Mark Robinson, transport manager at Stafford-based haulage company Stan Robinson, said: "I have always found it overpriced, and for us it is just not cost effective at all."

Mr Robinson said the charge for HGVs would have to be £5 before he considered using it again. Helen Stevens, transport manager of family-run W E Stevens Haulage Contractors Ltd, of Norton Canes, said: said: "The increases don't mean much to us because we already don't use it."