M6 Toll losing £1m per week

The M6 Toll operator Midland Expressway has reported pre-tax annual losses of £49million, raising concerns as to the six-lane motorway’s viability.

The 27 miles of road were opened in 2002 to ease congestion on the existing M6 stretch, but Midland Expressway has blamed economic conditions for recent falling usage, according to the Birmingham Mail.

Despite the gloom, though, the operator’s parent company, Macquarie Motorways Group, claimed that “adequate resources were available for the operator to continue in business for the foreseeable future.”

And Tom Fanning, Midland Expressway’s Chief Executive, said “The M6 Toll was constructed at no cost or risk to taxpayers at a cost of close to £1billion.

“Without private investment, the M6 Toll would not otherwise exist and its customers would instead be adding to the existing congestion on the M6.”

The current toll for cars is £5.30, with the fee rising up to £10.60 for coaches and HGVs. Motorbikes pay £3.00 to use the road.