M6 toll price increase criticised

The rise in charges came into effect from 1 January 2007

The Freight Transport Association (FTA) has said the M6 Toll costs too much to use and vehicles are avoiding it adding more congestion to the old M6.

Price rises mean lorry drivers must now pay £8 and car drivers £4, up from £2 when it first opened in 2003.

The UK's only toll motorway links junction four of the M6 at Coleshill, Warwickshire, with junction 11 near Cannock, Staffordshire.

Price rises were announced in November and came into effect on 1 January.

At the time of the announcement, Tom Fanning, chief executive of Midland Expressway Limited, said the toll would continue to be effective in cutting congestion despite the rise.

It's another kick in the teeth for the transport industry. Stephen Kelly, FTA spokesman

The average number of vehicles using the road throughout the day in September 2006 rose to 55,500. This time last year, it was 36,700 vehicles.

But Stephen Kelly, FTA spokesman for the West Midlands, said cars and lorries were avoiding the road, putting more pressure on the existing M6.

"It's another kick in the teeth for the transport industry," he said.

"I think it took 20 to 25 years from conception to the construction of the toll and everybody in the region was looking at it to be a major god send to relieve the congestion on the old M6."

Major road works to repair potholes lasting several months were in place on two of the busiest stretches of the M6 in Birmingham over the summer.

The Highways Agency said there have been 80 potholes in the last 12 months between junction 8 and junctions 5 and 6.