Toll road plans steam ahead

The Government has commissioned further feasibility studies for a new 51-mile toll motorway between Birmingham and Manchester, despite opposition to the proposals.

Latest News

• MG gives local workers 15% discount
• Citroen launches recall website
• New Audi A3 vs Merc A-Class, Volvo V40
• Renault Alpine concept car leaked

Related stories

• Road use takes its toll
• ‘Charge motorists to drive’
• Local and UK charging on the way
• Pay-as-you-go: A good idea?
• Overwhelming ‘no’ to road-charges
• Government funds road charging

The Government has commissioned further feasibility studies for a new 51-mile toll motorway between Birmingham and Manchester, despite opposition to the proposals.

The Department for Transport (DfT) first proposed the new four-lane Expressway between the two cities last July, following the success of the current M6 toll road. It was suggested as an alternative to a two-lane widening of the existing M6 motorway.

Although the majority of nearly 10,000 responses opposed both proposals, the DfT is now asking the Highways Agency to carry out more studies so one of the options can be 'provided without delay'.

Of the 9528 responses received by the DfT, 4864 were against the Expressway and 4363 were opposed to both it and widening of the existing motorway.

The DfT points out that more than 4000 of these were the result of campaigns or petitions, but just 106 respondents actually backed the Government's plans for a toll road.

Once the Highways Agency completes its studies in the next few months, the DfT will press ahead with one of the proposals.

If it chooses the Expressway option, the new motorway will become the UK's second stretch of toll road and another step towards the system of nationwide charging that the DfT is now keen to introduce within the next 10 to 15 years.

Whatcar.com's own poll on nationwide charging has attracted hundreds of votes with 93% opposing the move. Just 5% are in favour, while 2% are undecided.