UKIP West Midlands
Residents will bear brunt of new Toll hikes
Monday, 1st March 2010
Transport bosses have warned inflation-busting increases to charges to the M6 Toll are bad news for business and could force hauliers to use other routes.
The Freight Transport Association (FTA) has supported claims already made by UKIP West Midlands MEP that the hikes, which were imposed on Monday (March 1), will drive more hauliers into using other routes. Mr Nattrass, who is a member of the EU’s Transport & Tourism Committee, believes routes such as the already busy A5 near Great Wyrley and the M6 near residents’ homes in Beechdale, will bear the brunt of this exodus as hauliers and other motorists use alternative routes to avoid the toll charges.
In a press release the FTA claimed the extra toll costs “are the last thing the commercial vehicle sector needs.”
The leading trade body added: “The inflation-busting increases being foisted on HGV operators who use the M6 Toll road is bad for business, other motorists and the environment.
“Even more lorries will avoid the £700m+ bypass, adding to congestion on the already over-burdened M6, a strategic gateway for commercial goods vehicle deliveries.”
This week, as the new toll charge prices came into force, Mr Nattrass said claims made by Midland Expressway last week that the concept of the Toll was being “embraced” by motorists was ludicrous as figures show fewer and fewer people are using the under-utilised route.
He added the route should never have fallen into private hands and a company which has increased toll charges six times in the last seven years proves that point. The new charges include an increase of 30p for weekday mainline Day Class 2 (car) to £5 and an increase of 60p for vans and lorries using the road (taking the charge up to £10.)
Mr Nattrass said: “In a press interview last week Midland Expressway chief executive Thomas Fanning attacked my claims that the M6 Toll was not working.
“I now say to Midland Expressway if the route is working why are fewer and fewer motorists using this route and why is the road not taking the excess traffic off the M6?
“It is clear this relief road is not being used. Roads such as the A5 and the already traffic-clogged M6 will strain even further to cope as more motorists are priced off the Toll.
“Midlands Expressway say increased fare revenue will be invested in the road’s future. I support the FTA in their view that what is the point of investing in a road that nobody can afford to use?
“We should not have a Toll at all. The road should be free and should never have been sold to the private sector. The Toll should be nationalised.
“Why should residents in areas such as Walsall and Great Wryley suffer as a result of the Toll’s failure?
