| The M6 Toll – safety a priority in opening planning |
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The safe opening of the M6 Toll is a priority for Midland Expressway Limited, the road operator. After discussions with the Highways Agency and Central Motorway Police Group, it has been agreed that the road will be opened in a number of key stages. MEL managing director Tom Fanning explained the rationale. “A staged opening will allow us to guarantee the highest levels of health and safety for everyone using the road,” he said. “The majority of vehicles choosing to travel on the M6 Toll will join the road from the M6 – both north and south - and from the M42 in the south,” he added. “We have agreed that these access points, which will see the greatest influx of traffic to the toll road, will be the last ones to open.” Midland Expressway expects that the M6 Toll will be fully open to motorists within a week of launch. This is on schedule for January 2004 but may be earlier – latest information will be carried on the website, www.m6toll.co.uk Signs Signs directing motorists to the M6 Toll have been placed on existing motorways at a distance agreed with the Highways Agency to allow motorists sufficient time to make their choice of road and change lanes safely. Prior to opening, the signs have been obliterated to avoid confusion. Once on the road, motorists will stop to pay only once on exit. There are six toll plazas, two on the main line of the motorway – northbound at Great Wyrley and southbound at Weeford Park – and four toll plazas on exit slips at junctions T3, T4, T5 and T6. As motorists approach a toll plaza, each lane will clearly display either a green arrow to show that it is open, or a red cross to indicate that it is closed.
Payment There are a number of different methods of payment available to the motorist – by cash (automatic or to a manned booth), credit or debit card, or by an automatic tag. Signs for manned booths will show a tolling attendant waiting to receive payment. Signs for automatic booths indicate whether they are suitable for people paying with coins or cards. Motorists will not be able to get change from automatic toll booths, but receipts will be available on demand. Tags Tags are the M6 Toll’s electronic payment system. They are the latest, most efficient way to pay, allowing motorists to pass through a toll lane safely, but without stopping. Tom Fanning explained how the tag works. “The tag is attached to the windscreen,” he said. “It includes a microchip that is automatically read at each toll booth. Providing there is credit in the account, the toll barrier will rise and you can proceed without delay. Should the credit be running low, a blue light at the barrier will show as a warning.” Each time the tag is read, it sends information to a database updating the account with details such as when and where the vehicle used the M6 Toll. These details will only be available to the account holder and will provide invaluable information, especially for fleet managers and business motorists. Exemptions There are some vehicles exempt from payment. “As the safe operation of the M6 Toll is of paramount importance, all official and identifiable emergency service vehicles, police, fire and ambulances, will be allowed through without charge or delay,” said Tom. In addition, disabled customers in receipt of disability living allowance and entitled to the mobility component will be able to apply to MEL before using the M6 Toll in order to gain exemption from payment. MEL will issue a mobility exemption pass once the application has been received. For more information on the opening, prices for use of the road, to apply for payment exemption, or any other issue, visit www.m6toll.co.uk or call 0870 650 8282.  |
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