New off-peak periods introduced
The cost of using Britain’s only privately-operated motorway will rise by up to 50p per journey from 12 July.
The price for weekday journeys made between 7am and 7pm on the M6 Toll will go up to £6.70 for cars and £11.80 for vans. For lorries the new peak-time charge will be £12.
New off-peak rates will come into effect for journeys made between 5am and 7am, and between 7pm and 11pm on weekdays. New multi-trip options are also being introduced.
The 27-mile long road was built, and is currently operated as a concession by, Midland Expressway Ltd (MEL).
MEL says that 50,000 vehicles use the 27-mile route each day. However, this is below expectations when the road was opened in 2003 that usage would be more than 70,000 vehicles per day.
Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, said:
“Whilst the discount packages being introduced will appeal to regular commuters already using the M6 Toll, it seems unlikely the new, modestly-reduced off-peak rate in the early morning and mid-evening will do much to tempt a significant amount of traffic away from the original M6.
“For those willing to fork out, the M6 Toll offers 27 miles of free-flowing respite from the congestion on other routes, but given the volumes of traffic, particularly lorries, in this part of the world it is hard to see why a better outcome for more drivers couldn’t be achieved by integrating it, toll-free, into the Highways England network.”
The rise in prices was criticised by the Road Haulage Association:
“Any increase in toll charges is unwelcome for the hard-pressed heavy haulage trade struggling with clean air zone charging and tight profit margins.
“Many operators have been put off using the M6 Toll for this very reason and it’s hard to see how the increase will encourage more to use it.”
ENDS
Contacts:
Philip Gomm – Head of External Communications – RAC Foundation
020 7747 3445 | 07711 776448 | [email protected] | 020 7389 0601 (ISDN)
Notes to editors:
The RAC Foundation is a transport policy and research organisation that explores the economic, mobility, safety and environmental issues relating to roads and their users. The Foundation publishes independent and authoritative research with which it promotes informed debate and advocates policy in the interest of the responsible motorist.
The RAC Foundation is a registered charity, number 1002705.
All the Foundation’s work is available on its website:
www.racfoundation.org