M6 Toll charge rise traffic fears

INCENSED residents who live just yards from the busy M6 fear the proposed hikes in charges to use the motorway Toll will drive even more traffic onto the congested motorway in Walsall.

Members of the Murdock Way Residents' Association, in Beechdale, and UKIP MEP Mike Nattrass, believe hiking toll charges is a recipe for disaster by causing more traffic and pollution near to homes and surrounding roads.

Mr Nattrass is due to meet with residents on the estate later this week.

It comes as work is set to take place on February 19 to install gantries as part of an M6 redesign.

The programme will see the hard shoulder opened up to rush hour traffic – but West Midlands MEP Mike Nattrass believes the M6 Toll has proved to be a disaster.

Mr Nattrass, a member of the EU's Transport and Tourism Committee, said: "I don't agree with the road being in private hands.

"The M6 Toll is hardly being used by motorists and increasing charges to use it will only discourage more drivers from using the route.

"Hiking charges will push more traffic onto minor roads; roads such as the A5 near Great Wyrley and onto the M6 near Walsall.

"The residents in Beechdale are already suffering enough from noise from the M6. This will simply get worse when the toll charge hikes are introduced next month."

Alan Sanders, chairman of the Murdock Way Residents' Association, said: "Every time I look outside of my window and look at the motorway it is at a standstill.

"Motorists just can't afford to use the Toll. As a result of the hikes to use the Toll, the M6 near my home will become even more congested, and the extra lane on the M6 will just not work.

"We should not have a Toll. The road should be free. The situation is totally outrageous."

M6 Toll operator Midland Expressway Limited (MEL) has announced the new charges will apply from 6am on Monday, March 1. They include an increase of 30p to £5 for cars using the route during the day, and an increase of 60p for vans and lorries using the road, taking their charge up to £10.

In a statement released on the M6toll.co.uk website, MEL managing director Tom Fanning said: "The M6 Toll is a world-class motorway and we're continually looking to improve the high quality of the service we provide.

"For example, we've recently introduced dedicated Tag Lanes, and provided Tag account holders with access to their account details online.

"We also have plans to upgrade signage, not only on the M6 Toll but also on roads surrounding and leading to the toll motorway.

"There are no plans to review the standard toll prices again during the next 12 months".