News Release

21st October 2002

M6 TOLL CHEAPER FOR LOCALS?

At a meeting last Friday afternoon (18th October 2002) with directors of the M6 Toll Road due to open in January 2004, Michael Fabricant suggested - among other things - that local car drivers should be given a major discount for use of the road. Mr Fabricant told Tom Fanning (Managing Director of Midland Expressway who will operate the motorway): "Local people in Staffordshire and Warwickshire have had to put up with considerable disruption caused by the construction of the motorway. One good way of giving something back to the community would be to charge residents living in the council districts through which the road passes, this would include motorists living in Lichfield District, substantially less for using the road than those making the through-journey on business from the south of England to the north-west. Tom Fanning told Michael Fabricant that the technology would eventually be available to do this and that this is being actively considered. He would not, however, reveal the likely toll charges of using the motorway. The pricing structure will be announced around March 2003. Tom Fanning says "We want a pricing structure that will be attractive to local residents as well as those on longer journeys".

Other matters raised by Michael Fabricant at the meeting included (1) the disruption of closed roads. Michael was told that Midland Expressway hope that some closed roads will now open ahead of schedule before the toll road is itself opened; (2) the need for a motorway link from the M6 Toll to the M54 - at present the single carriageway A460 must be used. Michael will be raising this issue in Parliament. "I think it important that for the sake of 6 miles of road, mid Wales can enjoy the economic benefits of better connections with the south of England; (3) the possibility of a charity marathon or some other event to be staged on the motorway before it is opened. Michael was told that while a marathon has had to be ruled out because of operational difficulties, some other form of charity event is still being actively considered; and (4) the status of the Lichfield and Hatherton Canal where it twice crosses the motorway. The foundations are already under construction and is on schedule for completion.