M6 Toll bosses hike prices despite backlash
PRICES on the M6 Toll road rose this week despite opposition from political leaders.
Operator Midland Expressway announced a series of price rises last month, with bosses claiming the rise had been “carefully set to ensure that we continue the significant growth in HGV traffic on the M6 Toll that we saw in 2017”.
The price for cars will rise by between 30p and 50p per journey, for light goods vehicles by 10p to 30p and for heavy goods vehicles by 20p to 50p, depending on the journey made.
It was thought the company may have reconsidered the move after a backlash from several high-profile figures from the West Midlands. A letter signed by the mayor and leaders of each of the combined authority’s seven constituent authorities last month stated they were “extremely disappointed,” in the decision to raise prices. AA boss Edmund King also claimed the price rises could dissuade drivers.
“This is a toll hike too far,” he said. “A 50p or 8.5 per cent increase for car drivers driving on the M6 Toll during working hours in the week will hardly encourage further usage.
“The objective should be to spread the congestion load from the current M6 rather than to deter drivers through higher prices.
“The M6 Toll was originally planned as a free public highway (Birmingham Northern Relief Road) with an objective of reducing chronic congestion in the West Midlands.
“However the pricing policy means it has always been underused and never meet the original targets.”