Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: Varche on 25 November 2016, 11:54:26

Title: Free M6 toll road (nationalised)
Post by: Varche on 25 November 2016, 11:54:26
Saw this suggestion on UK TV .

Don't know how much it would cost the taxpayer but I thought it had legs as an idea. Every time I have been on it , it has been empty unlike the Northern Birmingham motorway. Surely it would relieve congestion.

What does the team think?
Title: Re: Free M6 toll road (nationalised)
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 25 November 2016, 12:13:20
We already pay far too much to use the poorly-surfaced roads in this country. I'm not surprised  the additional cost of the toll road is a step too far for many.

It should be free (unless completely unrestricted like the motorways were before 1967) I'd pay to use it then. :y
Title: Re: Free M6 toll road (nationalised)
Post by: Mister Rog on 25 November 2016, 12:15:41
I'f I'm going that way with time as an issue, I'll use it. If I have more time I don't use it. Unlike the Severn and Dartford crossings there are viable alternatives. The alternmative to the Severn crossing is a huge diversion North, the alternative to Dartford is diverting towards London. The alternative to the M6 Toll is a bit of time in the heavy traffic of the M5/M6 intersection or even using the A50.

It is expensive, and that is why it is usually fairly empty. They constantly tinker with the roads West of B'ham but they never seem to get better. Maybe nationalising it would be actually be cheaper than trying to fix the unfixable ? I really don't know  :-\
Title: Re: Free M6 toll road (nationalised)
Post by: 2boxerdogs on 25 November 2016, 13:04:42
The Dartford crossing is now a complete farce have used it three times this year & paid online within the hour on each occasion, but received two letters threatening action for non payment both answered with copies of email receipts which they issued to me ,obviously someone is not up to the job.
Title: Re: Free M6 toll road (nationalised)
Post by: pscocoa on 25 November 2016, 13:53:22
I have an M6 Toll tag - I nearly always use it as opposed to risk of the M6 around Birmingham. I suspect the Toll will come into its own eventually with more and more traffic on road and you now join to the 4 lanes up to J11. Obviously would be great if it was free - do they publish the financial position anywhere as to whether or not it is making money.

If it was free they would need to have some way of preventing too much traffic at one point on the M42 join I suppose.
Title: Re: Free M6 toll road (nationalised)
Post by: Kevin Wood on 25 November 2016, 14:30:37
Admittedly, I rarely use the M6 during peak periods. I used to use the toll road every time but these days the cost means that I'll chance the main M6 unless we're talking Friday afternoon before a bank holiday.

I nearly considered using it in October until I remembered I was towing. Look at the charges for a trailer which restricts you to 60 MPH anyway, further marginalising the benefits! They can foxtrott oscar! :o

I can't recall ever being held up for more than a few minutes on the old road. They have priced themselves out of the market, in my opinion, so the road is not delivering the benefits it could be under less greedy management.
Title: Re: Free M6 toll road (nationalised)
Post by: Andy B on 25 November 2016, 14:41:46
....

I nearly considered using it in October until I remembered I was towing. Look at the charges for a trailer which restricts you to 60 MPH anyway, further marginalising the benefits! They can foxtrott oscar! :o
......

I used once years ago not long after it was opened .... can't remember now why? But used it a few months ago when towing partly due to save the agro & time when I had a screaming grand daughter in the car. The advantage of being in the Caravan Club is the discount given that reduced the cost to around a solo car.

Generally I use the M6 on principle ....... I think I pay enough VED per year (around £800 last year)
Title: Re: Free M6 toll road (nationalised)
Post by: Kevin Wood on 25 November 2016, 16:27:47
...The advantage of being in the Caravan Club is the discount given that reduced the cost to around a solo car...

My "caravan" is a bit long and thin. Do you think they'll notice? ::)
Title: Re: Free M6 toll road (nationalised)
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 25 November 2016, 16:42:48
How much is it?  :-\

I use the Severn Bridge quite regularly which is a rip off!  >:(
Title: Re: Free M6 toll road (nationalised)
Post by: pscocoa on 25 November 2016, 17:34:22
How much is it?  :-\

I use the Severn Bridge quite regularly which is a rip off!  >:(

Car is £5.50 except between 11pm and 6 am when it is £4.80. Car and caravan will be almost double that.

With M6 Tag car is £5.20 as against £5.50
Title: Re: Free M6 toll road (nationalised)
Post by: Andy B on 25 November 2016, 18:56:54
...The advantage of being in the Caravan Club is the discount given that reduced the cost to around a solo car...

My "caravan" is a bit long and thin. Do you think they'll notice? ::)
At least you're allowed to tow it up Sutton Bank ..... I'm not
Title: Re: Free M6 toll road (nationalised)
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 25 November 2016, 19:32:51
How much is it?  :-\

I use the Severn Bridge quite regularly which is a rip off!  >:(
Never understood why they charge to enter Wales... Surely they could ask double to let you leave... ::)
Title: Re: Free M6 toll road (nationalised)
Post by: Ever Ready on 26 November 2016, 06:02:06
Used it many times and like the fact it is not so busy as the M6.

It would be a different story if my employer did not pick up the tab though ;D ;D
Title: Re: Free M6 toll road (nationalised)
Post by: biggriffin on 26 November 2016, 08:36:54
How much is it?  :-\

I use the Severn Bridge quite regularly which is a rip off!  >:(


Its £11.00. But the real killer it's owned by the Australians, the www.macquaria.com (http://www.macquaria.com)
Title: Re: Free M6 toll road (nationalised)
Post by: Mister Rog on 26 November 2016, 08:44:22

from the M6 Toll website

"Midland Expressway Limited (MEL) is a private company with the government concession to design, build, operate and maintain the 27 miles of the M6toll until 2054. After this time the road will be handed back to the government. MEL is 100% owned by the Macquarie Atlas Roads."

So at some stage, certainly after I'm dead and gone, it will be owned by the public. Don't hold you breath  ;D
Title: Re: Free M6 toll road (nationalised)
Post by: biggriffin on 26 November 2016, 09:38:27

from the M6 Toll website

"Midland Expressway Limited (MEL) is a private company with the government concession to design, build, operate and maintain the 27 miles of the M6toll until 2054. After this time the road will be handed back to the government. MEL is 100% owned by the Macquarie Atlas Roads."

So at some stage, certainly after I'm dead and gone, it will be owned by the public. Don't hold you breath  ;D


They said after the dartford crossing had paid for itself, it would be free,, then the government realized what a cash cow it was, so they just reduced the prices, " these are not tolls, they are maintenance charges" And we the public are all stoopid.
Title: Re: Free M6 toll road (nationalised)
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 26 November 2016, 09:58:43

from the M6 Toll website

"Midland Expressway Limited (MEL) is a private company with the government concession to design, build, operate and maintain the 27 miles of the M6toll until 2054. After this time the road will be handed back to the government. MEL is 100% owned by the Macquarie Atlas Roads."

So at some stage, certainly after I'm dead and gone, it will be owned by the public. Don't hold you breath  ;D


They said after the dartford crossing had paid for itself, it would be free,, then the government realized what a cash cow it was, so they just reduced the prices, " these are not tolls, they are maintenance charges" And we the public are all stoopid.

They said the same about the Severn Bridge, but there they havn't reduced the tolls, they increase them annually!  >:( 
Title: Re: Free M6 toll road (nationalised)
Post by: TheBoy on 26 November 2016, 10:06:39
A private company built it, with a long agreement (50yr iirc) to run, maintain and take the profit from it.

Why should "we" be allowed to demand it back?


Lets face it, it wouldn't have been publically built under New Labour, so its the best of both worlds. Nobody is forced to use it. Everyone has a choice.
Title: Re: Free M6 toll road (nationalised)
Post by: Nick W on 26 November 2016, 10:09:19

from the M6 Toll website

"Midland Expressway Limited (MEL) is a private company with the government concession to design, build, operate and maintain the 27 miles of the M6toll until 2054. After this time the road will be handed back to the government. MEL is 100% owned by the Macquarie Atlas Roads."

So at some stage, certainly after I'm dead and gone, it will be owned by the public. Don't hold you breath  ;D


They said after the dartford crossing had paid for itself, it would be free,, then the government realized what a cash cow it was, so they just reduced the prices, " these are not tolls, they are maintenance charges" And we the public are all stoopid.

And then they sold it to the French, for a few quid now rather than using the income. The only way the M6 toll will be nationalised is if it is haemorrhaging money at the time.

I've used it a couple of times, but usually the customer decided not to bother when told they had to pay the toll!  It's different for the Dartford/Severn/Tamar/etc tolls, as they have no sensible alternatives.
Title: Re: Free M6 toll road (nationalised)
Post by: Varche on 26 November 2016, 11:19:47
So how are the government going to improve the infrastructure to take Jaguar land rovers kind suggestion of increased production.?

Years ago I suggested double decker motorways . Top deck for first class motorists and ordinary folk on old motorway. You could have trapdoors to drop ordinary folk who had inadvertently managed to get on the top deck. ;D
Title: Re: Free M6 toll road (nationalised)
Post by: STEMO on 26 November 2016, 12:08:00

from the M6 Toll website

"Midland Expressway Limited (MEL) is a private company with the government concession to design, build, operate and maintain the 27 miles of the M6toll until 2054. After this time the road will be handed back to the government. MEL is 100% owned by the Macquarie Atlas Roads."

So at some stage, certainly after I'm dead and gone, it will be owned by the public. Don't hold you breath  ;D


They said after the dartford crossing had paid for itself, it would be free,, then the government realized what a cash cow it was, so they just reduced the prices, " these are not tolls, they are maintenance charges" And we the public are all stoopid.

They said the same about the Severn Bridge, but there they havn't reduced the tolls, they increase them annually!  >:(
And the Mersey tunnels.
Title: Re: Free M6 toll road (nationalised)
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 26 November 2016, 12:30:31
So how are the government going to improve the infrastructure to take Jaguar land rovers kind suggestion of increased production.?

Years ago I suggested double decker motorways . Top deck for first class motorists and ordinary folk on old motorway. You could have trapdoors to drop ordinary folk who had inadvertently managed to get on the top deck. ;D

Would Omega owners use the top deck or the lower deck? ::)
Title: Re: Free M6 toll road (nationalised)
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 26 November 2016, 12:31:34
So how are the government going to improve the infrastructure to take Jaguar land rovers kind suggestion of increased production.?

Years ago I suggested double decker motorways . Top deck for first class motorists and ordinary folk on old motorway. You could have trapdoors to drop ordinary folk who had inadvertently managed to get on the top deck. ;D

I see strings.....lots of strings. ;) :D
Title: Re: Free M6 toll road (nationalised)
Post by: STEMO on 26 November 2016, 12:33:22
So how are the government going to improve the infrastructure to take Jaguar land rovers kind suggestion of increased production.?

Years ago I suggested double decker motorways . Top deck for first class motorists and ordinary folk on old motorway. You could have trapdoors to drop ordinary folk who had inadvertently managed to get on the top deck. ;D

Would Omega owners use the top deck or the lower deck? ::)
Mostly the hard shoulder.
Title: Re: Free M6 toll road (nationalised)
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 26 November 2016, 12:41:18
So how are the government going to improve the infrastructure to take Jaguar land rovers kind suggestion of increased production.?

Years ago I suggested double decker motorways . Top deck for first class motorists and ordinary folk on old motorway. You could have trapdoors to drop ordinary folk who had inadvertently managed to get on the top deck. ;D

Would Omega owners use the top deck or the lower deck? ::)
Mostly the hard shoulder.

I'm surprised you didn't add......with the bonnet up and lots of smoke. ;D

A missed opportunity perhaps. ;)
Title: Re: Free M6 toll road (nationalised)
Post by: STEMO on 26 November 2016, 12:42:04
So how are the government going to improve the infrastructure to take Jaguar land rovers kind suggestion of increased production.?

Years ago I suggested double decker motorways . Top deck for first class motorists and ordinary folk on old motorway. You could have trapdoors to drop ordinary folk who had inadvertently managed to get on the top deck. ;D

Would Omega owners use the top deck or the lower deck? ::)
Mostly the hard shoulder.

I'm surprised you didn't add......with the bonnet up and lots of smoke. ;D

A missed opportunity perhaps. ;)
It went without saying, obviously.  ;D
Title: Re: Free M6 toll road (nationalised)
Post by: Varche on 26 November 2016, 13:08:43
So how are the government going to improve the infrastructure to take Jaguar land rovers kind suggestion of increased production.?

Years ago I suggested double decker motorways . Top deck for first class motorists and ordinary folk on old motorway. You could have trapdoors to drop ordinary folk who had inadvertently managed to get on the top deck. ;D

Would Omega owners use the top deck or the lower deck? ::)

That would be the fun! Seeing if the trapdoor opened or not.
Title: Re: Free M6 toll road (nationalised)
Post by: TheBoy on 26 November 2016, 17:37:58
So how are the government going to improve the infrastructure to take Jaguar land rovers kind suggestion of increased production.?
Well, seeing as they are now made in China and Brazil, I can't see how making the M6 Toll free is going to help them transport to their largest markets ;)
Title: Re: Free M6 toll road (nationalised)
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 28 November 2016, 09:11:37
For the record:

Cars £5.50
Cars with trailer £10.00
Title: Re: Free M6 toll road (nationalised)
Post by: Lazydocker on 05 December 2016, 15:47:38
Make a network of toll roads to give those of us willing to pay a better route to use :y
Title: Re: Free M6 toll road (nationalised)
Post by: jonnycool on 05 December 2016, 16:13:54
How much is it?  :-\

I use the Severn Bridge quite regularly which is a rip off!  >:(
Never understood why they charge to enter Wales... Surely they could ask double to let you leave... ::)

Much prefer being this side thank you :-X :-X
Title: Re: Free M6 toll road (nationalised)
Post by: Mister Rog on 05 December 2016, 16:51:59
How much is it?  :-\

I use the Severn Bridge quite regularly which is a rip off!  >:(
Never understood why they charge to enter Wales... Surely they could ask double to let you leave... ::)

Much prefer being this side thank you :-X :-X

Yep  :y I agree

Our sheep are so much prettier  ;)


Title: Re: Free M6 toll road (nationalised)
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 05 December 2016, 17:41:53
Baaaaah... :P