M6 Toll

haveibeendone

About a month ago I was heading North on the A5 just past Muckley Corner (when did the pub shut?) coming into Brownhills when I noticed a road sign directing me right (The N. West// M6 North) at the junction of the A5/B5011.

I know this road reasonably well but have not been down that way for a while and as there were lots of major roadworks at the junction I immediately thought that this was either a diversion or a new by-pass so I turned right and to cut a long story short ended up on the M6 Toll.

My protests to the toll booth man fell on deaf ears and it was a case of either pay or get a fee notice in the post. So I paid £8.00 (trailer). The junction I entered is not that far from the end of the toll road so I got very little benefit.

In response to an email from me to the M6 Toll company they replied that 'at this location there was no choice provided for the motorist on the permanent signage and as such has led to motorists feeling that they have been "tricked" into entering the road'.

They also said that the highways agency have installed a tempory sign which I must have missed but they still refunded my £8.00.

Anyone else caught here may want to ask for your money back but it is also refreshing to have good treatment from the M6 toll people who owned up to the problem and refunded the toll fee without hesitation.

Hammyman

Your inability to follow the massive signs with massive lettering on isn't their problem.

I've driven that stretch quite a few times, I've never ever had the problem. Perhaps you should travel at a speed where you can absorb the information better.

flyingscotno1

Hammyman wrote: »

Your inability to follow the massive signs with massive lettering on isn't their problem.

I've driven that stretch quite a few times, I've never ever had the problem. Perhaps you should travel at a speed where you can absorb the information better.

That was nice of you. The guy makes a mistake, (I've misread a sign, and missed others because of HGVs or traffic conditions) and accidentally ends up on the M6 toll. He gets his toll refunded and helpfully puts up a message here to state that and all you can do is have a go at him for missing a sign.

It must be hard to be so perfect and never make a mistake in an unfamiliar area....

haveibeendone

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I hope the link works so you can see the sign for yourself. I wanted the M6 North and therfore turned right. The correct way to go is straight on but the sign does not indicate this.

I am so pleased that a paragon such as haman has responded and not one of the awful minority of critical !!!!!!.

rev_henry

Good that you got a refund OP. Hammyman are you thinking of the right place?! That sign seems pretty misleading to me.

mikey72

Hammyman wrote: »

Your inability to follow the massive signs with massive lettering on isn't their problem.

I've driven that stretch quite a few times, I've never ever had the problem. Perhaps you should travel at a speed where you can absorb the information better.

Not the most useful of posts, and certainly not the most accurate.

Every sign around the toll road was taken down when they built it, and all the signs that were put up to replace them now lead you onto the toll road. Local routes are signed via the M6 toll, signs for "local" roads just aren't there.
So, yes, it's well worth complaining and getting a refund.

vikingaero

Every time someone complains about the M6 Toll/Non Toll signage, the M6 Toll operator bleats on that the signage is approved by the Highways Agency. What that means in reality is that Midland Expressway will give the executives of the Highways Agency a nice cushy job on the board when their current contract expires.

gilbert_and_sullivan

I know lots of people who have mistakenly entered the M6 Toll, usually from the Southern section where unless you really have your wits at high tune you will end up on it by default even if only travelling 4 or so miles to Lichfield, the whole thing's a rip off with misleading signage.

Not as anyone's bothered it's only the cashcow bewildered and harrassed motorist who's paying out yet again.

flyingscotno1

gilbert_and_sullivan wrote: »

I know lots of people who have mistakenly entered the M6 Toll, usually from the Southern section where unless you really have your wits at high tune you will end up on it by default even if only travelling 4 or so miles to Lichfield, the whole thing's a rip off with misleading signage.

Not as anyone's bothered it's only the cashcow bewildered and harrassed motorist who's paying out yet again.

I also suggest that people don't do it often as the M6 toll has appallingly poor traffic numbers.