Just a quick one...M6 Toll

[Astraeus]

I'm driving to Birmingham Airport tonight (from the north) and will be hitting the M6 Toll at Junction 9 (having come off the M42). Will I still have to pay?

[kavanf1]

Originally Posted by Astraeus

I'm driving to Birmingham Airport tonight (from the north) and will be hitting the M6 Toll at Junction 9 (having come off the M42). Will I still have to pay?

IIRC, they have the large toll booths at either end of the motorway, but they also have mini-booths at each junction as well, so you're caught either way.

If you're driving after 11pm, you pay a reduced charge, think it's £3.50.

[grantsteve]

Short answer is yes. You get charged for all journeys on the Toll road, although shorter journeys may get charged a discounted fee (which I can't remember now)

However, if you are travelling south on the M42 you don't need to use the M6 Toll for the airport - just exit the M42 at Junc 6 (A45) and you're there. Unless I am misunderstanding your route.

[grantsteve]

Originally Posted by kavanf1

think it's £3.50.

That's it. The reduced fee also applies if you don't travel the length of the route, and so depends on which junction you exit at. It all seems very unfair to me because you could travel one junction to the end of the Toll and pay the full charge, but also travel a good proportion of the length of the road and exit at a junction where you are only charged the discount rate.

[loz]

Originally Posted by grantsteve

That's it. The reduced fee also applies if you don't travel the length of the route, and so depends on which junction you exit at. It all seems very unfair to me because you could travel one junction to the end of the Toll and pay the full charge, but also travel a good proportion of the length of the road and exit at a junction where you are only charged the discount rate.

if you only wanted to go one junction, why bother using the toll in the first place?

The idea is to keep the traffic flowing smoothly as it bypasses the midlands, not have it clogged up with local traffic who use if for the school run...

[Astraeus]

Thanks for that, I've just had another look on Via Michelin this time and it seems I don't need to get onto the M6 Toll, just take the M42 as it runs parallel to the M6 Toll down to Junction 6 and then take the turn you suggested onto the A45 (Coventry Road). Guess that means I can use the saved £4.50 to buy myself some more time in the drop-off point!

Life would probably be easier if I just bought one of them TimmyTim things...

[grantsteve]

Originally Posted by loz

if you only wanted to go one junction, why bother using the toll in the first place?

The idea is to keep the traffic flowing smoothly as it bypasses the midlands, not have it clogged up with local traffic who use if for the school run...

I appreciate that but I was using it as example to illustrate the (to me) odd charging system. It'd make more sense to register where you got on and then charge you per mile of road travelled, like they do in France for example.

Anyhoo, seems we have resolved the OP's problem now.

[DJT75]

Originally Posted by loz

if you only wanted to go one junction, why bother using the toll in the first place?

The idea is to keep the traffic flowing smoothly as it bypasses the midlands, not have it clogged up with local traffic who use if for the school run...

Exactly.

I drove from St.Albans to Silloth (M1/M6 to Penrith) last week. Although it's £4.50 that toll road is an absolute godsend in breaking up the journey. 300 miles in 4.5 hours, it took well over 6 hours last without using the toll

[loz]

Originally Posted by grantsteve

I appreciate that but I was using it as example to illustrate the (to me) odd charging system. It'd make more sense to register where you got on and then charge you per mile of road travelled, like they do in France for example.

but that would encourage local traffic to use it. The "Oh, its only 10p to nip up to the next junction and miss the traffic lights" type mentality.

Whereas today, it disuades drivers from doing that. And as a consequence, if you use it, it is beautifully traffic free. (god knows how it makes any money though...)

[DJT75]

Originally Posted by grantsteve

I appreciate that but I was using it as example to illustrate the (to me) odd charging system. It'd make more sense to register where you got on and then charge you per mile of road travelled, like they do in France for example.

Problem is people would use it just for a particularly busy part of the M6 knowing it will only cost them £1 or something, so you'd have 2 parallel motorways jammed. It's supposed to be for through traffic, not short cuts.

France is different because the only alternative is A roads, so you either pay & use the motorway or you don't. There's no free motorway to use as an alternative.

[Ned Senior]

On way to London a year or so back I thought Na I'll save the toll money for a pack of fags so stayed on standard M6 got caught in hold up just after turn off which took 4 hours to clear it took me 9 hours Liverpool to Croydon
(got caught on M25 anti too trying to avoid congestion charge)

Pay And Ye Shall Go Free!!!!

[kBm]

Although slighty off topic....

I always end up in jams at the either end of the toll! Especially north bound on a friday night! You may get slight relief on the toll, but its wasted!

I can think of a cheaper way of relief for £4.50.....

[signs]

Can you be done for speeding on a toll road, seeing how it's a private road ?

[Mr Incredible]

Originally Posted by signs

Can you be done for speeding on a toll road, seeing how it's a private road ?

Oh yes.......


M6 Toll Safety Features

* as with other UK motorways, the national speed limit applies and although the route is free flowing, it is imperative that drivers adhere to road safety legislation and guidelines
* we have regular police patrols along the motorway and anyone caught speeding will be prosecuted

[DJT75]

Originally Posted by Mr Incredible

Oh yes.......


M6 Toll Safety Features

* as with other UK motorways, the national speed limit applies and although the route is free flowing, it is imperative that drivers adhere to road safety legislation and guidelines
* we have regular police patrols along the motorway and anyone caught speeding will be prosecuted

If they put average speed checkers up they'd make a fortune.