Monday 26th July 2004

M6 Toll Targets HGVs

Prices reduced for lorries as toll road fails to attract trade traffic

---

HGV operators will be doing their sums this week to determine if it's worth using the M6 Toll Road in future.

Despite regular jams on the main M6 the previous charge of £10 was too rich for most operators who have steered clear of the new road despite miles of empty road space. The Toll Road currently enjoys light traffic made up almost entirely of car drivers.

Midland Expressway Ltd are trialling a 'Special Offer' until Christmas of a £6 toll for HGVs. The offer runs until the end of the year.

Tom Fanning, Managing Director of MEL, said: “We have listened to the views of the FTA, RHA and other haulier groups calling for an extended trial period at a reduced rate to encourage HGVs to trial the M6 Toll. We’re taking the opportunity to introduce the discount rates during the current period of road works on the M6, to further alleviate congestion in the region.”

Link : www.m6toll.co.uk

[catretriever]

Well that ballses that up then doesn't it!

[swilly]

Hopefully this will determine the rate at which haulage firms are willing to pay a toll and show the government the real outcome of such schemes.

[Gerrard]

I was on there on Saturday and noticed some very small posters at the booths stating that the peak-price for cars was going up to £3 from 16 August - a 50% increase!

[Phil S]

Well, it was fun while it lasted!

Don't think i'll be bothering with it when it all gets slowed up by over-taking trucks taking up the first two lanes!

[swordfish]

Aye - I spotted that when I passed through yesterday too. Also an increase from £1 to £2 for motorcycles!
Why on earth they can't do like the Dartford crossing does & let us bikers go for free is beyond me -- took me about 5 mins to locate the coins and re-don gloves etc in the middle of a huge downpour.. I'll bet the queue behind me at the toll-booth were most unhappy

[nonegreen]

So how long before the nonsense is handed over to the government and the toll scrapped. This whole project is a failure in the making.