Charges on M6 Toll could be cut as Ministers pledge to consider radical changes

Radical changes to the way the M6 Toll operates to stop it being a “rich person’s motorway” are to be considered by the Government.

It follows a day of chaos on Midland roads in February when the M6 closed for almost 24 hours after a fatal collision involving a lorry and a car – at an estimated cost to the local economy of £40 million.

Transport Minister Andrew Jones said: “It is clearly appropriate to review everything in light of that very serious incident.”

He was speaking in a Commons debate after Solihull MP Julian Knight (Con) called for changes to the M6 Toll, including opening it up for free when there are problems elsewhere on the road network, and cutting the prices paid by motorists the rest of the time.

The Minister said he would meet Mr Knight to discuss his proposals.

In theory, it is already possible to open up the M6 Toll for motorists to use free of charge if there is gridlock elsewhere on the road network – but this arrangement, called Operation Freeway, involves paying M6 Toll owners Midlands Expressway £300,000 per day plus VAT.

And it has never actually happened.

Mr Knight said that an annual fee should be paid to Midlands Expressway so that the M6 Toll could be made free-to-use when needed, with a limit of around five days per year.

He said: “If the M6 toll is to serve the best interests of the West Midlands and our economy as it was built to, we must see fundamental reform of how it operates, especially during gridlock and crisis situations.”

He also said the standard cost of using the road should be cut, because the standard cost for most cars was £2 when it first opened in 2003 but has risen to £5.50.

The road is currently seen as a “rich person’s motorway” but cutting fees would lead to more motorists using it and less congestion on other roads, he said.

And Mr Knight also said the planned new West Midlands Combined Authority, a council which will cover Birmingham, Solihull, the Black Country and Coventry, should make decisions about the M6 Toll.

This would prove to local people that they benefitted from devolution, he said.

“The current system is in clear need of reform and it offers the government a wonderful opportunity to demonstrate the strengths and benefits of the devolution agenda.”

Mr Jones said Mr Knight “has made important suggestions”.

He said he would meet Mr Knight to discuss the issues raised in the debate.

* Image shows comparison between M6 Toll and the M6.

Read more: http://www.birminghampost.co.uk/news/regional-affairs/charges-m6-toll-could-cut-11208201