Operator Midland Expressway has announced that from March 1^st a revised set of charges will apply to Britain’s only pay-as-you-drive 27-mile motorway; the sixth rise in seven years.  Car drivers face an additional charge of 30p taking the toll up to £5, while heavy goods vehicles will see double this as prices rise by 60p to £10.

The toll changes are restricted to main toll plaza weekday rates and inclusive of the revised VAT rates applicable from January 1^st.  The company has also said that prices between the hours of 11pm and 6am will be frozen, as will weekend rates.  As an incentive for motorists to sign up to an electronic tag scheme, a 5% discount will be offered.

The average daily traffic volumes for the period October and December 2009 were 38,607 – a drop of 1.7% on the corresponding period in 2008, which the operator has blamed the decline on the weak economy.

The £900m motorway, which runs between Cannock and Coleshill, was opened to relieve congestion on the busy M6 through the Birmingham conurbation.  Tom Fanning, Midlands Expressway’s chief executive, said: -
"The M6 Toll opened in late 2003, and still remains the most reliable route through the West Midlands,  The announced 2010 tolling programme will allow further investment in delivering an excellent driving experience for the reliable journey on which our customers depend.”  He added “the route remained excellent value for money for drivers looking to avoid the congested M6”.