Toll Roads in Britain

[Nik_Endeavour]

Intereting this idea of Mssers' Cameron and Osborne

BBC News - Private cash needed to boost roads network, says David Cameron

 

[renault12ts]

You only have to think of the M6 toll road to see how badly wrong this can go.

 

[Nik_Endeavour]

Or the train companies

 

[moonloops]

You only have to think of the M6 toll road to see how badly wrong this can go.

M6 toll works for me, pay to avoid the jams, clear road

Tax the working classes off the road (shouts in a Thatcher voice)

 

[grober]

Think Network Rail and the TOC's {Train operating companies} to see how badly all this could turn out for the motorist. It's just placing some more public infrastructure in the hands of private companies to loot and pillage in the name of increased efficiency and investment. Rest assured the "efficiency " will targeted at extracting money from motoring public rather than improving the roads. Mmm--- resurfacing/repairing the M25 ----OR a multi million computer system allowing direct access to your bank account via your mobile to pay the new road toll----- that's a toughie. Wonder which one will take priority? The problem with this touching faith in the private sector is that there is no effective competition to drive efficiency in these monopolistic situations [ still frequently propped by by huge taxpayer subsidy ] found in running major infrastructure. All it tends to do is divert funds from running these operations into the coffers of shareholders and their management.

 

[camerafodder]

Beginning of the end...

 

[renault12ts]

M6 toll works for me, pay to avoid the jams, clear road

Tax the working classes off the road (shouts in a Thatcher voice)

It is too expensive. In fact is it not one of the most expensive toll roads in the world.

Look at their pricing. A motorhome with two people in it pays the same as a coach with 53 people. It's ludicrous.

 

[camerafodder]

The thing I dislike the most about the m6 toll, is the cynical way in which deference is given in favour of the toll road against the true M6. Even the fancy signs only ever say "M6 toll clear" or "M6 Congestion", or words to that effect. You even effectively have to pull-off the M6 and then re-enter as it the toll road joins it again.

 

[Harrythedog]

Why doesn't someone from our Transport Dept ask the French how there Mway system works

 

[Rory]

The thing I dislike the most about the m6 toll, is the cynical way in which deference is given in favour of the toll road against the true M6. Even the fancy signs only ever say "M6 toll clear" or "M6 Congestion", or words to that effect. You even effectively have to pull-off the M6 and then re-enter as it the toll road joins it again.

The pricing is far too high - it's ludicrous the M6 is as jammed as ever through Birmingham.

The Operators should be forced to drop the price until the number of cars it was designed for - 80K/day - are using it. Currently it's half that.

I only use it very occasionally, and I can claim the cost back.

 

[SHAUNE55]

Scandalous!
We pay road tax and fuel duty and VAT on the fuel duty, they should use that to sort the roads out.
Also if they removed all the stupid paint and bollards that turn two lane roads into one lane it would cut congestion.
They do it on purpose, cut two lanes to one and say the roads are congested so they can make more money by charging to use them.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

Intereting this idea of Mssers' Cameron and Osborne

BBC News - Private cash needed to boost roads network, says David Cameron

I think it's a good idea.

 

[Harrythedog]

It's a good idea IF run properly. As an aside does anyone know what the figures are for tax paid by motorists to the actual spend on roads

 

[stevieb15]

You only have to think of the M6 toll road to see how badly wrong this can go.

How often do you use it?
For me it's a minimum of 4 times a week and think it's fabulous!

 

[Dryce]

It's a good idea IF run properly. As an aside does anyone know what the figures are for tax paid by motorists to the actual spend on roads

Only a minority proportion gets spent on the roads.

In principle - if they removed VED and fuel duty then I don't have an objevction to fair priced tolls.

But as HMG screws us on fuel duty and VED it's taking the p*ss to add road tolls as well. Any government that tries this on deserves to fall at the next election IMO.

 

[renault12ts]

How often do you use it?
For me it's a minimum of 4 times a week and think it's fabulous!

There is no doubt it's a great alternative...but punitively expensive and therefore defeats the purpose for which it was built.

 

[stevieb15]

It was built as an alternative to the M6 and effectively a relief road for those who were willing to pay extra in exchange for a quicker journey at peak times or for convenience.
I always use it during business hours and give the van and lorry drivers the discretion to use it during peak hours, on Sunday I used the non toll road at 2pm.
If 2 men in a van save an hour per day at a cost of £11 each way it pays for itself in wages alone,plus the benefits of less fuel, less wear and tear on the vehicle and a massive increase in efficiency.
The most expensive toll road I'm aware of is the Humber Bridge, followed by the ludicrous pair of Severn Bridges.

 

[st4]

The M6 Toll should be derestricted. Then it would be fun, although I when I have used it on occasion, treat it as an attack route, and that can be fun.

 

[wemorgan]

Is this whole deal not on a parallel to the privatisation of the water network? (see this thread for info: http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/ot-off-topic-forums/127202-hose-pipe-ban-east-s-e.html)

 

[NOMONEYBUTAMERC]

An excellent scheme . Good old Dave is just full of ideas to relieve us of our hard earned cash.