M6 Toll

It seems many more are doing the same, to avoid the dreaded roadworks on M6/M5. The volume of traffic has doubled in the past year, the A41/49 around Whitchurch now resembles the M25 as folk try to save a few minutes. 

Nevermind, I'm told Brexit will solve all our problems 😉

I stopped using the M6 when travelling south from near Chester until below Birmingham in 1972! I reckon I have only used the section from around Lymn to south of Birmingham 3 times since and one of those was due to heavy snowfall effecting most roads

 I might have known who would spot my typo, CY.   😀😀😀😀😀

David

The only judgement I can make as to how many caravans or motorhomes use the Toll route is the numbers parked at Norton Canes Service Station and certainly at weekends its usually fairly full providing solo cars are not parked in the way! On the way up to Blackpool there must have been about half a dozen units parked up. It is probably more popular than can be judged by the traffic immediately around you. 

David

We did use it once years ago, because we wanted somewhere to stop and the services were very nice. However, living where we do we join / exit at the A38 and currently £7 (with van) is a bit steep for 10 miles and a saving of 10 minutes over using the A5, which more or less follows it.

Where we live, the A5 is quite a good alternative to the M6 Toll.  Apart from the fact that it takes longer on the A5, there are a couple other disdvantages: the sheer number of speed cameras; and, road works.  I have been using the A5 between Tamworth and Brewood (near the Wolverhampton/ Stafford Road A449 island) for the last 40 years at least once or twice per week.  I can probably count on my hands the number of times when the journey has been free of roadworks - especially after 10pm.

David

Steve

I have never quite worked out how people joining half way along get charged. Do you take a ticket on entry?

David

With all the road works and the removal of the perk, it might be a good time to try the A50 between M6 jct 15, Stoke and the M1 again. I've not used that route since the M6 discount was introduced.

peedee

I'm not sure where I heard it from but I heard that it is supposedly because they are going to automate fee collections somehow and they can't / won't enhance the system to cope with discounts. But you wouldn't think it too difficult to work out a way of administering discounts on an automated system. Unfortunately Ihavef o und it useful and I haven't objected to paying £5.40 - £6+ fee (depending on day of the week) but I don't think it will make financial sense for me to pay £11+ in the future. So by not allowing the discount to continue they will potentially lose all future fees from me. I have used it 5 times this year.      

Sorry David, it was a few years ago and I can't remember. I do recall thinking it was expensive given the short distance we had covered. I have always used the A5 since, despite the sat nav trying to get me onto the toll.😂