New signs for M6 in bid to lure drivers to M6 Toll
Motorists are to be urged to use the M6 Toll with a series of signs showing the time they could save taking the route.
Regional transport bosses hope the move will free up the M6 through Birmingham and the Black Country.
It has also received the support of motorway operator Midland Expressway Limited, which would benefit from the scheme.
Midlands Connect, which oversees transport, infrastructure and development, has been working on the idea.
Head of technical programmes, Simon Statham, gave a presentation on the scheme to members of the West Midlands Combined Authority this week.
He said: “The study has looked at evidence and traffic patterns – there is a reasonably significant amount of traffic which could use the toll, but is not.
“We could provide better information so motorists can understand what benefits they might get and they can make an informed choice.
“Some people will never change, and will not pay to use the route.
“But we want people to know the benefits, which could also help with the flow of traffic on the M6 through the West Midlands.”
The signs, Mr Statham said, would be located at key locations across the region.
They would show the time it would take to get between two junctions on the M6, and the time it would take on the M6 Toll.
The toll currently costs £6.40 for a car to use during the day, Monday to Friday, and £5.30 at weekends. The night charge is £4.10.
Mr Statham added: “We have had a verbal agreement from the M6 Toll operators that they would invest into it.
“We need to pull together a scheme which will benefit all parties.”
The scheme is part of a transport study looking at ways to tackle congestion.
They also include restricting traffic joining the M6 at Junction 9 for Wednesbury.
Lorries could be restricted to one lane on the M6 from Junction 3 – which crosses the M42 east of Birmingham – and Junction 11 for Gailey in Staffordshire.
And a ‘shared occupancy’ lane on the M6 is also being considered in the Midlands Motorway Hub study
Park and ride schemes are being looked at too.
Early indications show facilities could be opened at Featherstone, M6 junction 11 and Bloxwich.
In July the Midlands Express Ltd raised the price to use the road.
This was despite calls from West Midlands Mayor Andy Street to freeze the price.
