APPENDIX
ICAEW MEMBER COMMENTS
Below are included comments from the Chair of
the Regional Strategy Board, followed by comments from members,
submitted as part of the survey:
(a) Shirley Hutchinson, chairman of the Institute's
regional strategy board, which commissioned the survey, said:
"These results show the benefits the new road has brought
to the region. Our members are generally very enthusiastic about
the effect it has had relieving the M6 and speeding up journey
times. But we would like to see more heavy goods vehicles using
the toll road if it is to achieve its full potential. Overall
our members believe the road has been a great benefit to the region's
economy and we believe it should be the forerunner for similar
private-sector involvement in future road-building projects."
(b) One of several similar comments was:
"The trouble now is at the Coleshill end of the motorway
with heavy congestion daily trying to get on the M42 south. The
situation is appalling and often negates any time savings travelling
from the M6."
(c) "Not only is it faster, it is also
more relaxed, as you can cruise along at the speed limit, only
occasionally needing to change lanes to overtake."
(d) "As a user on a daily basis of the
M6, J11 to J9 there was an initial reduction of traffic but this
now seems to have abated and although marginally better, still
seems very congested at peak times."
(e) "There certainly seems to be a very
poor use of the toll road by hauliers, which of course is still
the main problem facing the areas roads and will not be helped
by the increase in fuel prices. As a resident of Cannock, there
have been some long-awaited improvements in the local road network
as a result of the toll road but as yet no apparent inward investment
in the area."
(f) "I live in a perfect location for
accessing the M6 toll road, and find it incredibly useful for
visiting my sites in the Manchester region. It also makes Manchester
airport a more viable option. I was quoted at a dinner just last
night as saying `I love the M6 toll road'—praise indeed."
(g) Several chartered accountants called
for further developments. One said: "Now we need to complete
the `Orbital Motorway' by building the `Western Orbital' M5/M6
relief road as soon as possible".
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