Midland Expressway Limited (MEL), operator of the M6toll, announced the new toll prices at the end of June. From 06.00 on Monday 30 July, prices rose for cars by between 30p and 50p per journey, for light goods vehicles by 10p-30p and for heavy goods vehicles by 20p-50p, depending on the journey made. Prices have been frozen for night time journeys for all light and heavy goods vehicles to support operators during the on-going roadworks on the M6.

“It would be a great pity if this sharp hike in tolls persuaded drivers to stick with the old M6,” said Steve Gooding, Director, RAC Foundation. “When conceived, the M6 Toll was intended to be a pathfinder beacon for similarly toll funded road capacity, but since that never happened the reality is that the M6 Toll sticks out like a sore thumb. Surely the right answer is for it to be properly integrated into the Highways England network, toll free.”

Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street and the leaders of the West Midlands Combined Authority urged Midland Expressway Ltd (MEL) to reconsider the increases. In a letter to the operator, they said the plans fly in the face of the region’s efforts to improve air quality and manage congestion. The letter includes the view: “This will do nothing to move more vans and heavy goods vehicles off the region’s other major roads and onto the M6 Toll. This needs to happen if we are serious about improving air quality and managing congestion.”

The Freight Transport Association’s policy manager for the Midlands Chris Yarsley commented: “While increases in transport costs are always unwelcome to the freight industry, this announcement is particularly concerning due to its impact on Birmingham's clear air agenda. “The fee increase will encourage some HGVs to abandon the motorway and use those running through Birmingham itself. We ask this decision be reconsidered for the greater good.”

MEL has introduced a four month trial to cap prices for 100 local car drivers, who will be given a weekly maximum price of £20 for unlimited journeys.

Following the criticism, a spokesman for the operator said: “Last year the number of HGVs using the M6 Toll was up 17% and we’re committed to continuing to increase the number of cars, vans and trucks choosing to use the M6 Toll, freeing up the M6 and surrounding A roads for local traffic.”