New toll road charges bikers less

Despite reports in the national press and on television, motorcyclists will pay less than car drivers to use the M6 Toll road when it opens in January 2004.

The charge for bikes is £2 between 6am-11pm, and £1.50 11pm-6am. This compares with cars which pay £3 during the day and £1 at night. Despite reducing congestion, bikes still have to pay to help the private operators, Midland Expressway Ltd, recoup the £485 million cost of the new road.

” It’s a choice. You can still go on the M6 if you want, ” said press spokesman John Cunningham, ” It’s not a penalising payment to avoid congestion, it’s a matter of choice. ”

Designed to relieve congestion on the M6, the 27-mile route has eight tolling stations, and starts from a point by junction four of the M6 south of Birmingham. It then rejoins the M6 at junction 11, north of the city. You’ll be charged the same regardless of the distance travelled on the toll road.

To celebrate the launch of the road, the first 10 million users will get £1 off the toll fee.

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