Truckers start free M6 toll trial
MEMBERS of the Road Haulage Association begin a free month’s trial of the M6 Toll today as part of a new incentive scheme.
The RHA has struck an exclusive deal with the road operator Midland Expressway which will see truckers travel the 26-mile route for free.
All RHA members who are not currently account holders have been eligible to sign up to a special M6 Toll card pass which drivers will show to toll assistants to gain free access to the road.
The association has anticipated that members taking part in the trial will switch 100% of their usage from the existing M6 to the M6 Toll for the duration of the trial.
The move is likely to mean thousands of extra trucks a day using the road, which bypasses the M6 between Cannock and Coleshill.
However, both the RHA and Midlands Expressway have been keen to stress that the offer is only available to members of the RHA which have signed up for the free pass.
Pete Cleaver, Midland Expressway director of tolling operations said: “All RHA members who registered for this offer before the closing date have been issued with their passes. Any members who attempt to use the M6Toll without the official free pass will be required to pay the appropriate toll charge at the time of travel. It’s simple; no pass -no free passage.
“Despite stressing the fact that only members of the Road Haulage Association are eligible for this free trial, this key fact has become somewhat diluted; there have been reports that all trucks can travel free during July. This is most certainly not the case and it is vitally important that this message is heeded.”
The extra traffic is likely to give traffic volume figures on the road a major boost – although there will be no revenue gain to MEL as a result of the trial.
It is hoping that many of the hauliers participating in the trial will be encouraged to stay on and use the use once the offer ends. The regular toll for HGVs is £11 although tag users get a 5% discount.
Latest available traffic figures for the road show that between January to March this year there was an average of 34,360 vehicles a day using the road, a 13% increase on the same quarter last year.
