Following an in depth, two hour long discussion with the Chief Executive of Midlands Expressway (responsible for operating the M6 Toll), and going carefully through a variety of statistical information, my position on the M6 Toll Road is as follows:
Q1) Would I like it be purchased from central gov’t funds and made free to use ?
– Yes.
Of course I would, UKIP doesn’t believe, and I don’t believe in toll roads.
Q2) Do I believe that purchasing it would make a significant difference to congestion around peak times on the M6 between junctions 3a and 11a ?
– No.
Statistics show that over 90% of HGVs which could use it, already use it at peak.
Q3) If I was given £2bn to spend on improving roads in our region, would I spend it purchasing the M6 Toll road ?
– No.
I believe a more effective use of £2bn would be to reduce or remove ‘bottlenecks’ or ‘pinch points’ across the whole of the West Midlands network
Pete Durnell 