Government to Buy Back the M6?

CAMPAIGNERS are urging the Government to buy back the M6 Toll for £1 BILLION after its worst ever traffic flow figures.

The privately owned 26-mile road was opened in 2004 with the aim of cutting chronic congestion on the M6 motorway.

But drivers have steadily deserted the route after prices rocketed to £5.30 for cars, compared to just £2 when first launched.

Latest figures show the average daily number of motorists has fallen to just 34,900, compared to a peak of 54,700 in 2006 – or 35,800 in the first three months of opening.

Now the National Alliance Against Tolls has called on the Government to buy back the Toll road, which cost developers Midland Expressway Ltd around £900 million to build.

Spokesman John McGoldrick claims a £1 billion offer could benefit hard-pressed motorists and businesses, while tackling continuing congestion problems on the M6.

He said: “When the Toll road first opened traffic using it gradually grew, but that has fallen off and the average level is now below where it started.

“The problem is that people are still put off by the idea of paying to use it.

“If there’s an alternative they will take it, even though it might cost them more in fuel consumption because of traffic jams.”