M6 Toll: Tory MP criticises charge ahead of price increase
Increased charges for motorists to use the M6 Toll which comes into force next week have been criticised by a top MP.
South Staffordshire Tory MP Gavin Williamson described the 40p hike to £5.90 as ‘inflation busting’ and said it was ‘holding back’ the local economy.
He said he will be writing to Midland Expressway Limited which operates the toll road.
"This will discourage more people from using the M6 Toll at a time when we want to see more using it," he said.
“These charges are holding back growth in the local economy while the M6 struggles with roadworks and daily congestion.
“I will be writing to Midland Expressway to express my objection to this unnecessary hike.”
The weekday toll rise for cars, which comes in on August 7, is the first in five years.
The ‘local toll’ where motorists exit at certain junctions will increase to £4.40.
Bosses say they are a ‘partial catch-up’ with inflation and interest over the period.
Prices for all other classes of vehicle and all night and weekend prices remain unchanged. The move comes just weeks after the 27-mile motorway was bought by Australian investment giant IFM. It had been up for sale with a price tag of almost £2 billion.
“Prices have been held constant over the past five years to help customers recover from the economic downturn and manage through several years of significant roadworks and disruption on the M6,” said the company.
