2005
Prices go up
See
Full Story from the BBC
Emergency services given tags
See
Full Story from the BBC
2004
Decline in drivers
See Full Story from the BBC
M6 Toll 'discourages lorries'
See
Full Story from the BBC
2003
Toll motorway fully open
See
Full Story from the BBC
Announcement of M6 Toll Road opening
See
Full Story from the BBC
A director resigns after making controversial remarks
about the toll charges
See
Full Story from the BBC
Louise Scrivens reports - just how bad is road congestion
in this area?
See Full
Report
A HISTORY
OF THE M6 TOLL ROAD
- from 1980 to 2005
1980 The Government identifies the need for a new motorway to
relieve congestion on the M6 in the West Midlands
1984
The Government enters into consultation with the local community
over five different route options and to raise any other concerns
1986
The Secretary of State for Transport announces the preferred route
– a combination of two of the five options which arcs to the
north east of Birmingham between junctions 4 and 11 of the existing
M6
1988
Local objections to the scheme result in a Public Inquiry
1989
The Secretary of State rules that the road will be built and in
line with Government policy at the time, decrees it will be financed,
designed, constructed and operated by the private sector
1991
Midland Expressway Limited (MEL) is provisionally awarded the concession,
subject to further public consultation
1992
MEL prepares a revised scheme with modifications to more than half
of the original proposals, including measures to further reduce
the environmental impact of the road
1992
Concession Agreement signed by the Government and MEL. Further amendments
are made to the route during the design and environmental assessment
process
1994
Second Public Inquiry
1997
The Secretary of State recommends the M6 Toll as proposed by MEL
should go ahead
1998
The Alliance Against the Birmingham Northern Relief Road mounts
an unsuccessful challenge to the scheme in the High Court
1999
An appeal by the Alliance Against the Birmingham Northern Relief
Road is dismissed in the High Court
2000
MEL issues a tender for design and build contract which is won by
the CAMBBA consortium
2001
Main earth works start. Take a look at the construction picture gallery
by clicking here.
2003 The nation gets a Christmas present as Alistair Darling
opens the new M6 Toll-Road
2005 The latest development to the Toll Road is the introduction
of the 'Tag'. No, it doesn't mean you've done anything wrong - it's
to make your journey smoother.
The tag is purchased in advance and means you can pass through the
gates without having to fiddle for change...
You pay a sum of money into your account and it is automatically taken
every time you pass through.
The Toll Road owners Midland Expressway claim you can also save money
on your journeys with a tag... time will tell if it's a success. |
