Talks on free M6 Toll travel

Drivers may get to use the M6 Toll for free to relieve chaos caused by motorway smashes, transport chiefs revealed today.

Motorists would be given free passage on the under-used toll road to stop the region regularly grinding to a halt.

The number of motorists on the M6 Toll road fell almost 10 per cent in the first three months of this year after price rises, while the Black Country stretch of the M6 is used by 150,000 vehicles every day.

Bosses at M6 Toll owners Midland Expressway today confirmed it was in talks with the Highways Agency about opening it up for free following serious crashes.

Walsall transport chief Councillor Anthony Harris said today: "The whole purpose of the M6 Toll was to alleviate congestion on the M6, but judging by what many drivers see every day, it has not been entirely successful in doing that."

He said that when there is a serious accident on the M6, cars should be diverted on to the M6 Toll.

Mr Harris continued: "I think that would be preferable to plans to build more lanes or for cars to use the hard shoulder."

Gridlock on the M6 costs businesses millions of pounds due to staff delays.

Tom Fanning, chief executive at Midland Expressway, said the firm had previously suggested different ways of helping in the case of emergencies.

He said: "Midland Expressway recognise the benefits of utilising the M6 Toll should there be any serious incident on the M6.

"It was always intended to be the through route within the West Midlands. Detailed discussions as to the diversion of vehicles has been and continues to be undertaken with the Highways Agency."

By Richard Williams