Toll road firm's 67 per cent price rise branded 'arrogant'

Motorists using a local junction of the M6 Toll have branded the operator " arrogant" after it imposed a 67 per cent increase on the charges.

Since the private motorway opened in December 2003, operator Midland Expressway Limited has set the toll rates for vehicles joining the road at the Langley Mill junction (T3) lower than the main toll plazas to encourage local drivers to use the road.

However, the £1.50 charge for cars went up to £2.50 last week - still less than £3.50 at the main plazas, which only rose by 50p or 17 per cent.

MEL said the old pricing structure had been confusing and few cars joined the road at Langley Mill.

Regular M6 Toll driver Richard Graty, from Aldridge, said the increase was "outrageous".

" Frankly, I think this organisation is taking an unacceptable advantage of a certain sector of the Midlands motorist," he said.

"I complained to the M6 Toll directly and I later received a phone call from them.

"They said only a small number of motorists used the Langley Mill toll compared to the main plazas and therefore they felt justified, in the light of this.

"I asked them if it was their money would they be happy at a 67 per cent increase? "No" came the reply. I was, and remain, astonished at that.

"I said 'So, as a provider of this toll road service, your statement to me, as a customer, is 'take it leave it'? "Yes" came the reply.

"I find it unbelievable, even arrogant."

Tom Fanning, managing director of MEL, said: "We're simplifying the differential in prices at local junctions to avoid confusion.

"The £2.50 toll for Class 2 vehicles - e.g. cars - brings Langley Mill in line with all the other local junctions and is £1 less than at our two main Toll Plazas.

"To encourage use at Langley Mill, which covers the shortest part of the motorway, we did set the prices slightly lower originally.

"However having the different prices caused confusion with customers. Now Langley Mill, which is only used by a very small percentage of our customers, has the same prices as other local exits.

The price rise is an effort by MEL to persuade regular users to join the road operator's discounted Tag scheme.

Mr Fanning added: "The easiest way to travel on the road is to get a Tag which gives them a five per cent discount on each journey.

"We also have dedicated Tag Lanes which allow customers to cruise through our toll plazas without stopping."