As route becomes political punchbag, M6 Toll prepares for major user landmark

M6 Toll

THE 200 millionth customer to use the M6 Toll could use the pay-to-drive motorway today.

Operator Midland Expressway Ltd (MEL) is bracing itself to commemorate the landmark, which comes just a week before the controversial road celebrates its 13th anniversary.

The landmark also comes as the road is once again being used as a political punchbag with West Midlands Labour Mayoral candidate Sion Simon renewing calls for the 27-mile route to be made free to use to ease congestion on the region’s roads.

The road is currently up for sale by infrastructure giant Macquarie, with a price tag of around £2bn.

Latest accounts for MEL show it incurred a loss of £18,360,000 for year ended December 31, 2015.

However, this was much improved on the previous year when the losses were £28,611,000.

A 14.5% increase in toll revenue across the year, together with a 12.6% in annual average daily traffic volumes are the main reasons for the improved performance.

The company said continuing roadworks on the M6 had helped to improve the financial performance of the toll road.

Close