M6Toll to launch time-saving number plate payment system
THE owners of the M6 Toll motorway has announced plans to launch a transformation of its existing payment systems which will see number plate recognition technology introduced.
Midlands Expressway, which operates the toll motorway north of Birmingham, says it hopes the multimillion-pound project will improve customers’ experience and save time.
The new scheme will include installing roadside automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras to identify vehicle licence plates in order to allow seamless, contactless travel on the road.
An e-commerce system will also be implemented on the motorway which is used by around 50,000 vehicles per day.
As part of the first project phase, consultancy Stantec has been appointed as design partner to lead the programme.
The Canada-based company is currently working as the overall programme manager for modernisation of the Ohio Turnpike in the US which will introduce non-stop tolling across a 241-mile corridor.
The first wave of ANPR cameras will go live on the M6 Toll in April, initially as a pilot project for invited vans and trucks, before being gradually introduced for all other road users. The new technology will also enable M6 Toll to offer a range of options for those regularly using the road and helping to reduce congestion on alternative routes.
Chief executive Andy Cliffe said: “The investment in the new infrastructure will deliver a world-class tolling system, enhancing the customer experience, improving further our strong record of journey time savings and reliability and increasing the appeal of the road for new users.
“Stantec is responsible for supporting the delivery of some of the best-constructed and most technically efficient tolling systems available and we look forward to working with them to deliver a similar standout project for the M6 Toll.
“The new tolling system is part of the wider ‘Road Ahead’ digital transformation programme which will improve operational efficiencies and further focus the business on the needs of our customers.”
Kevin Stevens and his Essexbased logistics firm Woodland Group were well prepared for the changes to trading that came in when the Brexit transition period ended.
“We knew there would be significant challenges, especially during the first few weeks of 2021. We gave our clients informed and honest opinions of where we thought the main issues would arise, so they could plan accordingly.
“However, with change comes opportunity, and our forward planning has allowed us to push forward significantly and develop new openings for clients trading with the EU.
“Everyone needs to adjust to these changes and put relevant processes in place.
For importers and exporters looking to trade with the EU, it’s important to create a two-way information flow to educate each other on the changes and set aside time to be prepared.”
DEAR Editor, Liz Truss has been reported as telling the NFU conference: “Our farmers need access to new markets around the world, but we need to get rid of the barriers holding them back.” The hypocrisy of this statement is astonishing.
The UK exports over twice as much food and drink to the EU as to non-EU countries but Boris Johnson’s dreadful deal with the EU has created enormous barriers of red tape.
The Food and Drink Federation stated that food exports to the EU declined by between 50-60 per cent in January this year.
A recent survey of supply chain managers found that delays were worse in February than they were in January.
These are not ‘teething problems’, they are structural problems.
Due to the customs border down the Irish Sea, something Boris Johnson said we would never have, health certificates are even needed to send sausages to Northern Ireland.
Seemingly, as from July 1, exports of sausages to Northern Ireland will be banned altogether unless another deal can be negotiated.
The deal is disastrous for Northern Ireland, disastrous for our fishing industry, and due to red tape, is proving to be disastrous for our farming and food industry.
We know what Boris Johnson said about business: ‘f*** business’. It’s the same with food and farming: he just doesn’t give a sausage...
Mike Baldwin, by email