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£10 is 'too high' for M6 Toll
Page 8
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The MS Toll charges trucks too much — it's official. Guy Sheppard reports.
THE BOSS OF the M6 Toll has publicly acknowledged that the 110 charge for trucks might be too high following a flood of protests from operators and trade associations.
Tom Fanning explained that M6 Toll operator Midland Expressway now wants to attract more trucks, having done "exceptionally well" with cars since the road opened in December.
"In our consultations with industry, the hauliers are saying we have got it wrong," he added. "But there will be no knee-jerk reaction. We'll keep working with them towards a solution but I cannot say yet when anything will happen."
Fanning was speaking to the West Midlands Business Transport Group (WMBTG), whose members include the Confederation of British Industry, the Road Haulage Association and the Freight Transport Association.
He told them the current level of tolls was originally set to ensure the road remained a free flowing alternative to the M6: "If you set it too low you get too much traffic and if you set it too high you don't get enough traffic."
He added that roadworks on the M6 and A38(M) in Birmingham have so far had a minimal effect on the level of traffic on the toll road. These projects are expected to increase traffic levels, but it's too early to say by how much.
Jerry Blackett, chairman of the WMBTG, says: "It was very good to hear how seriously Mr Fanning takes our concerns over getting more lorries on to the M6 Toll. We trust it will not be long before we hear what the plans are. as it is vital we see more lorries on the road." • The Highways Agency's M6 Toll Traffic Impact Study has revealed the number of trucks using the M6 has risen 4% since the opening of the M6 Toll. The reduction in traffic on the M6 has only affected light vehicles.