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”.

Proposals to simplify motorway speed limits for buses, coaches and large goods vehicles (LGVs) were published today (02/02/2010) by the Department for Transport.

The changes are deemed necessary because of differences that have arisen between new vehicles, which are fitted with speed limiters, and older vehicles which are not.  This means that while newer LGVs are limited to 56mph whilst some older vehicles may be able to drive at up to 70 mph on a motorway.  Similarly, new passenger vehicles with more than eight seats are limited to 62.5 mph on the motorway but older vehicles are able to drive at 70 mph.

This can cause confusion for other drivers and creates a disincentive for companies to invest in safer and more fuel efficient vehicles.  In addition, vehicles with speed limiters are not allowed to use the right hand lane of three lane motorways but those without speed limiters currently are.

The key proposals put forward in today’s consultation include: -

-     Setting a 65 mph limit for all buses, minibuses and coaches with more than eight passenger seats regardless of whether or not they are fitted with a speed limiting device;

-     Setting the motorway speed limit at 60 mph for all LGVs over 3.5 tonnes regardless of whether or not they are fitted with a speed limiting device;

-     Prohibiting all LGVs between 3.5 and 7.5 tonnes and all buses, minibuses and coaches with more than eight passenger seats from using the right hand lane of motorways with three or more lanes.

Road Safety Minister Paul Clark said “we want to provide clarity for everybody – drivers, operators, other motorists and the police – as well as making sure that there is a level playing field for those operating in the bus, coach and road haulage industry.   These proposals simplify motorway speed limits for buses, coaches and lorries so that everyone has to abide by the same rules regardless of the age of their vehicle.”

03/02/2010

Researchers using a driving simulator have found that people who drove whilst suffering from a heavy cold or flu (Swine or otherwise), took 10 per cent longer to react than a healthy driver.  This was equal to travelling an extra 2 metres at 60 mph before even starting to brake when presented with a hazard.

Additionally drivers suffering from flu were also less aware of potentially deadly hazards on the road if they were feeling ill.  Experts warn that the effects could be further compounded by many over-the-counter cold and flu remedies which can cause severe drowsiness, made even worse by the consumption of any alcohol.

Accordingly drivers who feel unwell should exercise extreme care when considering which if any medication to take.  Better still, don't drive at all until the illness has gone.

With effect from 1st October 2009, eligible SMEs with less than 250 employees can still benefit from a £50 subsidy per head for drivers of vans up to 7.5 tonnes.

So why not make the most of the opportunity to improve the efficiency of your fleet operation by educating drivers in current best practice fuel saving and safe driving techniques.

Quite apart from saving your company money, with the reported cost of a single road fatality now stated as £1.65m it's in everyone interest to act.

Contact us for information and bookings.