Discussion
I used it quite regularly when it first opened, but don't often bother these days.
Northbound, if you are planning to hit Birmingham at a busy time, then use it. otherwise, you won't save much time over staying on the M6. (Unless there is a crash in the area.)
However, it does tend to be quiet on the toll. so can almost feel like a break and the services are above average, not that that is saying much!
Southbound, I tend to use it even less. I guess I usually travel south on Sunday afternoons, which are always quite busy and the south end of the toll feeds you onto the M42 on the east side of Birmingham, which always seems to be a 20-30 minute queue.
I tend to stay on the M6 down to the M5 junction and take the M5 down to Bromsgrove and then the M42 to the south of Brum, which then feeds you straight onto the M40.
There is a "Toll Plaza" (lots of booths) on the M6 Toll both ways and you pay by card - not sure there are any that take coins any more - maybe you can if there are any booths with an actual person operating them!!
Northbound, if you are planning to hit Birmingham at a busy time, then use it. otherwise, you won't save much time over staying on the M6. (Unless there is a crash in the area.)
However, it does tend to be quiet on the toll. so can almost feel like a break and the services are above average, not that that is saying much!
Southbound, I tend to use it even less. I guess I usually travel south on Sunday afternoons, which are always quite busy and the south end of the toll feeds you onto the M42 on the east side of Birmingham, which always seems to be a 20-30 minute queue.
I tend to stay on the M6 down to the M5 junction and take the M5 down to Bromsgrove and then the M42 to the south of Brum, which then feeds you straight onto the M40.
There is a "Toll Plaza" (lots of booths) on the M6 Toll both ways and you pay by card - not sure there are any that take coins any more - maybe you can if there are any booths with an actual person operating them!!
I would be using it if I was you. M6 around Birmingham is a nightmare at the best of times and with the Junction 10 roadworks still in effect it can often become very slow very quickly.
The toll won't be much quicker if both were clear, but the toll will be quieter and more relaxing to drive on.
You roll up to a toll station and pay, use contactless card as most are unstaffed these days.
The toll won't be much quicker if both were clear, but the toll will be quieter and more relaxing to drive on.
You roll up to a toll station and pay, use contactless card as most are unstaffed these days.
I used it last weekend travelling Holyhead to Reading, Google Maps nav was showing big delays round Brum on the M6.
It's £6.50 a car at the weekend, variable other times: https://www.m6toll.co.uk/pricing/
I use it when travelling to see my family in the Midlands when time is of the essence. It's nice to get an open run on it when there is very little on it.
Be aware of cops patrolling. Because it is mostly very free flowing some people treat it as their own personal race track, opening the taps after being stifled on the variable speed limits of the M6/M42 at each end. Nicking them must be like shooting fish in a barrel. Cops usually in unmarked BMW 3 Series Tourings.
It's £6.50 a car at the weekend, variable other times: https://www.m6toll.co.uk/pricing/
I use it when travelling to see my family in the Midlands when time is of the essence. It's nice to get an open run on it when there is very little on it.
Be aware of cops patrolling. Because it is mostly very free flowing some people treat it as their own personal race track, opening the taps after being stifled on the variable speed limits of the M6/M42 at each end. Nicking them must be like shooting fish in a barrel. Cops usually in unmarked BMW 3 Series Tourings.
PurpleTurtle said:
Be aware of cops patrolling. Because it is mostly very free flowing some people treat it as their own personal race track, opening the taps after being stifled on the variable speed limits of the M6/M42 at each end. Nicking them must be like shooting fish in a barrel. Cops usually in unmarked BMW 3 Series Tourings.
BMW X5s are popular on the toll for the cops and they sit on the bridges with speed cameras as you approach the toll booths so they can just pull you over at the wide section after the booth. I tend to ask Waze to recompute routes with a mile or so to go before I reach the M6/M6T junction.
Normally at that point I'll find out what the time difference is, so can judge whether the £6 is worth it. Normally it's within 5 minutes or so, so I don't judge the extra to be worth it. If it's 15-20 minutes or more, yeah, let's just pay to avoid the grim.
Normally at that point I'll find out what the time difference is, so can judge whether the £6 is worth it. Normally it's within 5 minutes or so, so I don't judge the extra to be worth it. If it's 15-20 minutes or more, yeah, let's just pay to avoid the grim.
Must be a traffic thing but this morning Google was taking me via Oxford and the M6Toll, this afternoon its the M5 and M6 (at 16.40 today), I'm going to be hitting this at about 8.30 - 9.30pm Wednesday evening, guess the M6 without the toll unless traffic says otherwise. Thanks for the guidance.
It's a while since I've needed to go that way frequently. But if I'm up north and decided to not enjoy the varied scenery of the A1, I would use the toll road. Mostly as it is so much less busy / quieter than the old M6 and is a superior road surface, particularly avoiding the expansion joints near Fort Dunlop. It didn't often save any appreciable time.
Skyedriver said:
Not done it before, I've been directed that way on Google, is there a better way or do I just pay it? Travelling from Southampton to Scotland.
Is it just a toll booth? throw coins in a bucket, pay by card there or afterwards like the Dartford crossing?
Thanks
what part of scotland what time....Is it just a toll booth? throw coins in a bucket, pay by card there or afterwards like the Dartford crossing?
Thanks
howabout A34 to M1... M1 A1(M) A66 M6 ?
I used it on monday afternoon as Google was showing a 30 min difference in journey time due to traffic around birmingham.
Just my luck got stuck in standstill traffic for 30-40 minutes on the toll due to overturned caravan - damn it!!
ps Once it cleared traffic was free moving, noticed a Golf a few cars ahead clearly in a rush compared to everyone else only to see him a couple of miles up the road (still on the Toll) pulled over by the police.
Just my luck got stuck in standstill traffic for 30-40 minutes on the toll due to overturned caravan - damn it!!
ps Once it cleared traffic was free moving, noticed a Golf a few cars ahead clearly in a rush compared to everyone else only to see him a couple of miles up the road (still on the Toll) pulled over by the police.
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