The UK's first pay-per-drive motorway, the M6 toll around Birmingham, has attracted less than 10 lorry operators to sign up for the service following complaints of high prices.
The 22-mile motorway designed to relieve traffic is expected to open next month, but the road's private operator Midlands Expressway has been accused of deterring lorries by imposing an £11 charge.
Midlands Expressway's managing director, Tom Fanning said that fewer than 10 fleet operators have registered for a special tag, which acts as a season ticket for regular users, despite a marketing blitz aimed at the 100 leading freight companies.
The Freight Transport Association's (FTA) external affairs director Geoff Dossetter is unsurprised. He said: “The rate that has been set does not encourage freight companies to use the road. With operating costs at around £35 per hour, an additional sum of £11 is a lot. We suggested a fee of £5 and hoped that it would become the route of choice. However, it seems that Midlands Expressway doesn't want lorries on its road.”
