M6 Toll
Comments
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Came through today and the operative on the toll booth happened to mention to me that it would be ending soon so they are obviously trying to prepare people to avoid problems later. Having travelled down from Chester today the entire M6 seems to have a 50mph speed limit whilst they convert it to a so called Smart Motorway. In comparison the M6 Toll was an oasis of calm and well worth the money.
David
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You're right, David. We've had to use it on a regular basis and it seems like it's had a 50mph speed limit on it for years and years! Don't like using it with the MH due to the concrete barriers at the side of the inside lane. Still, IIRC the roadworks between jn 16-19 are due to finish next March, hurrah! No doubt they'll find a new stretch to "upgrade" somewhere else to take its place though
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We came north to Cheshire today, via the M5/6 we knew it would be bad. We were taken through one section south of Brum on a rolling road block due to some very narrow sections, then the massive roadworks on the Oldbury Viaduct followed by the 50mph restrictions on the M6. This bit I noted today will not now be finished till 2022! If you can use the toll it will be worth it just to avoid the continuing disruptions.
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This bit I noted today will not now be finished till 2022! If you can use the toll it will be worth it just to avoid the continuing disruptions.
Brue, IIRC the roadworks which finish in 2022 are the ones between jn 13-15, aren't they? So using the toll won't help with those unfortunately. or am I misunderstanding the bit you referred to?
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Ok, I see what you mean. Yes, the roadworks make that journey a real messy affair. We went to Devon in September, and also noticed the bit on the M5, at the Brum end, where there is a 30mph speed limit, must admit, that was a first! Have seen enough 40mph limits, but until then never a 30!
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On the plus side, re roadworks. When they do finish the four lane sections really do seem to make a difference for the better.
David
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We avoid most of the M5/M6 section when travelling up and down by going round Kidderminster and stopping off near Chester, Shrewsbury or Whitchurch. Of course we have plenty of time for these stays but we aren't getting frustrated by all the delays and speed restrictions.
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We come from The Other Side... hopefully not the dark side... and normally have used M1/M6, if heading to the NW.
We've taken to staying on the M1 up to Castle Donnington M1 j23a, onto the A50 and going across that way, thereby avoiding both Toll and M6 up to j15. We still get the M6 works North of that, no avoiding that. The roadworks round Castle Donnington area can make the whole exercise invalid with delays of their own, but on a good day it's a more pleasant drive and, if you are on this side of the country, only a handful of miles longer.
And we also avoid that 'orrible slab concrete section round Brum where the the whole thing starts sounding like an old fashioned train thundering across the joins in the road.
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Yes, we've come off at jn 15 and used the A50 to the M1 sometimes, it is a good alternative. ATM though it still means using the M6 through the roadworks from jn 19-16, but joy of joys, that should be finished next March, so theoretically after that an easier journey.
We'll see..........
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A real shame about the the M6 Toll reduction being removed not that we ever used it . Perhaps the CMHC could renegotiate telling them there are over a million of us using MHs and Vans- I should think Peedees reaction will be duplicated up and down the land.
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Merve
I don't think it is within the Club's gift to do that. It sounded very much that the Club was told it was coming to an end. I am sure the M6 Toll have records and if they see a significant drop of in users as a result I suppose its possible they might change their minds.
From my point of view it would always be my first choice even at full price but I appreciate not everyone feels like that!
David
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We always use the toll section, partly because it has a good service area. I cannot recollect seeing a motorhome or caravan using it, so I can understand it's withdrawal.
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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 😉
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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Steve
I have never quite worked out how people joining half way along get charged. Do you take a ticket on entry?
David
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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.
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