Written evidence from Midland Expressway
Limited (M6 Toll)
INTRODUCTION
1. This evidence is submitted by Midland
Expressway Limited the Concessionaire of the M6 Toll. The company
is private and owned by Macquarie Atlas Roads. The company holds
a 53 year Concession to design, build and operate the UK's first
tolled road and has responsibility for the entire financial costs
of the development accepting all associated risks.
2. The road was opened on the 9 December 2003
and we currently employ over 140 people recognising voluntarily
UCATT as the Union representing our workforce.
3. The M6Toll is the key strategic route through
the West Midlands and our tolls are market driven. The route the
M6 Toll follows is that of the existing road corridors of the
A5, A38 and A446 passing through the counties of Staffordshire
and West Midlands. There are mainline stations to the north and
south with smaller satellite stations dealing with local traffic.
4. In 2004 Midland Expressway opened a motorway
service station mid-way along the motorway and leased this to
Roadchef. This accounts for a further 150 jobs in the region.
5. The company processes around 16million transactions
every year and since opening has seen over 100 million journeys
through our 38 toll lanes. Customer satisfaction levels are in
excess of 90%, testament to the excellent quality of service we
provide.
THE IMPACT
OF THE
TOLLS ON
THE WELSH
ECONOMY INCLUDING
BUSINESSES, LOCAL
RESIDENTS AND
TOURISTS
6. Tolls on the Severn Bridges are one-way only
on entry into Wales and we would not purport to be experts on
the Welsh economy. It is clear however that customers have little
choice but to use the bridges, so it could be considered as a
monopoly. The untolled alternative to the Severn Crossing adds
around an extra 50 miles to the journey (via M5 and A48) and so
is costly in terms of loss of time and fuel spent.
7. This is markedly different from the M6Toll
where there are other competing routes such as the M6, A5 and
A38. The Agency will not direct traffic to the road so we depend
on providing a reliable service ensuring a first class ride on
a world class motorway facility.
8. The vast majority of our staff live and work
within the Staffordshire region and we see ourselves as an integral
part of the business community. This is important as we work hand
in hand with all the local authorities to promote the region and
its economic growth.
9. The opening of the M6Toll has a positive
effect on stimulating development interest within the corridor.
It was estimated by Staffordshire University that the direct effect
of an additional 4.25 hectares of industrial land implied opportunity
to create 265 new jobs in excess of those created to operate the
M6 Toll and its motorway service station, with a development effect
in the then current values of around £100 million.[1]
THE CURRENT
LEVEL OF
TOLL PRICES
AND THE
AVAILABLE METHODS
OF PAYMENT
10. Toll prices on the Severn Bridges are regulated
and are subjected to annual increases. Toll rates in the M6 Toll
are solely market driven. The M6 Toll payment methodology accepts
all methods of payment; cash, credit/debit cards and fuel cards.
Dedicated lanes are also available to process payment electronically.
In any tolled regime where the user pays operators have a common
interest in ensuring payment is made automatically. There is a
move away from cash which is costly to collect.
11. The M6 Toll current price for class 2 (cars)
at our mainline plazas is £5.00 and HGVs are at £10.00,
the multiple being 2 x the car rate.[2]
This differs from the Severn where the multiple is 3 x the car
rate. Different rates apply for the small toll stations and discounts
of 5% are made in processing electronic payments.
12. The Severn currently has no facility to
cater for credit / debit card payments. We have been assisting
the Severn management, the DfT and the Agency in evaluating the
process of change to this method of payment. It will greatly assist
in processing through traffic. It is understood that the Severn
will soon introduce card payment similar to ours but with online
verification.
THE CURRENT
CONDITION OF
THE BRIDGES
AND THE
COSTS ASSOCIATED
WITH THE
ONGOING MAINTENANCE
13. We are aware that various surveys have been
undertaken with regard to many of the suspension bridges in the
UK. These surveys have underpinned the understanding that some
cable integrity has been affected either during construction or
post construction. We are not qualified to comment any further
on these matters as we understand they are under the supervision
of qualified engineers.
THE FUTURE
OF THE
BRIDGES AFTER
THE CROSSINGS
HAVE REVERTED
TO PUBLIC
OWNERSHIP
14. This is really a matter of policy for the
Government. The bridges will still exist and therefore the choice
is whether to extend a Concession to the existing or introduce
another party, retain in public ownership and/or relinquish tolls.
In the case of Dartford the bridge and tunnel tolls still remain
in place with the Dartford Crossing forming part of the Connect
Plus contract for the M25.
15. In the case of the M6 Toll at the end
of the concession in 2054 the road and the tolling infrastructure
will be handed back to the Secretary of State for Transport. In
the interim Midland Expressway will continue to maintain the road
in accordance with all our liabilities under the Concession Agreement.
1 Evaluating the effects of the M6Toll Road on the
Industrial Land Development and Employment: Professors Geoffrey
Pugh and Jon Fairburn Staffordshire University Regional Studies
Vol 42.7, pp977-990 August 2008. Back
2
M6Toll website www.m6toll.co.uk Back
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