Drivers shunning M6 Toll road

DRIVERS are continuing to shun the M6 Toll as latest figures show fewer motorists are now using the motorway than when it opened eight years ago.

The latest set of figures for the 27-mile motorway show the average daily traffic flow for the three-month period October to December 2011 was 34,286 (2010: 38,405), a fall of 10.7% per calendar period.

The £900m motorway originally opened in December 2003 and user figures for the period December 14 to 31 of that year (the first full weeks of operation) show a daily average of 34,490 vehicles heading through the toll booths.

Despite the latest figures, the route’s operator Midland Expressway Ltd (MEL) said the performance was better than the previous quarter, when the average flows were down 14.3% pcp.

In a statement accompanying its latest figures, MEL said: “Overall, the lower traffic volumes were primarily due to continuing weak economic conditions in the UK as well as operational improvements on the competing M6 motorway which has implemented Active Traffic Management and Hard Shoulder Running to reduce congestion on several sections.  

“This added impact of the M6 motorway is expected to persist until April when roadworks on competing sections of the M6 resume between Junctions 5-8.”

Drivers travelling the motorway, which is designed to relieve the M6 between Coleshill and Cannock, have to pay £5.30 per car and £10.60 per HGV – the last price increase was in March last year. The prices drop during the evening and at weekends, and if users opt for an electronic tagging system.
 
MEL owns the operating concession until 2054.