coolangatta

Having only spent a few days driving in the UK in the last few years, I've used the toll, Birmingham M6, on each occasion.
Anyone used the paupers route recently
Is the toll worth the money or is the alternative now as acceptable?
Judging the amount of traffic on the toll, I imagine the non-payment route is OK??

Simon C

I've used both. The toll is a nice road, and usually empty, but they have gone stupid with the price.. Its about £5 per car now, I don't use that in diesel going the old route at the times I'm heading for the parents now so its a no brainer.

I'll only use it now, if 1) someone else is picking up the tab, or 2) if the M6 through Brum is shut.

Ant

I've used both and found very little difference in time saving

mykp

rush hour, yes its worth it. other times, the m6 is normally moving. and at night why bother.

Plus the old bill have taken to policing this more than the normal m6 as they can earn more cash off it, so you cant even drive fast on it any more.

coolangatta

Cheers Simon, pretty much how I imagined.
I do think they take the pee with the 'M6 Toll clear' signs.
Not so bad if it was 'M6 bunged-up/Toll clear'. But that's obviously not available on their key-pad.

Timwinner

iTrader: (3)

I am a fan of the toll road, Its of course only worth the money if the M6 is busy but most the time you dont find out its busy until a mile into the cue.

coolangatta

Do you think when you're paying you should be allowed 100MPH or so?

trails

iTrader: (41)

nice road, usually empty but over priced. Watch out for the Feds too...they are not shy on that road!

coolangatta

Also, maybe should be a different post but....Jees you guys have slowed down in recent years.
I can't believe how UK drivers have slowed down so much!!!
You may not believe it but it was so obvious to me on my last visit
You've been suckered by the scameras me thinks Good on ya!
I've probably got myself a UK ban We'll see

trails

iTrader: (41)

I did and got lucky with an sp60 when it first opened

billythekid

Used to do London to NW a few times a week at various hours of the day / night. The Toll is best used between 6am and 8pm - 7 days a week.

During these hours the chances of getting caught in a jam on the M6 between j10 and 4 are rather high.

Outside of this time its faster to use the M6. That said I have known traffic jams on the M6 at the RAC at 4am...

That said what used to really nark me off was on Friday nights you would clear the toll N at about 4pm ish only to drive straight into another jam at j12 because some moron had crashed their caravan at Stoke.

coolangatta

Money well spent then as I only used between those times thanks

hodgy0_2

its petrol at over a pound a litre that has slowed people down

Coffin Dodger

Went on it unintentionally once

boomer

I tend to use it when driving Southbound, 'cos it is (50p?) cheaper if you leave at a side exit rather than pass through a main toll plaza.

They are pushing it with the prices though - i am sure that it was only a couple of quid when they first opened.

BTW, it you want real value for money, join it from the M42 Northbound, pull off at the Norton Canes services for a pee, then re-join Southbound and leave at Tamworth. Maximum mileage for minimum price

mb

Simon C

Was a quid when it first opened.

DYK

Haven't used it and wouldn't bother with it,if your not in a rush to get someplace it's always better sitting traffic checking out the gorgeous girls .

RRH

I got pulled well on the wrong side of 100 on the day it opened- fortunately the police said they didn't know the status of the road and that they didn't know if they could nick me or not... they were just there for a look.

They then went on to tell me that their force used to have two Imprezas, but they crashed in to each other and they wouldn't replace them... then asked me to take off real quick and see if they could keep up.

A slightly odd day, that was....

DYK

LOL crashed into each other

mykp

sure, whats the point otherwise???

they should set a lower limit of 100mph

Leslie

My sister uses it regularly and says it is good, but she gets the toll paid by her firm. I have never been in a position to use it.

Les

ChrisB

I use it when heading south past Birmingham before 9am. Work pays