PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The M6 Tollway (formerly known as Birmingham Northern Relief Road) is a 27 mile (44 KM) long six-lane divided motorway bypass in the West Midlands conurbation. The M6 Tollway connects at its northern end with the non-tolled M6 at a new junction north of Junction 11 near Cannock, Staffordshire. 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, West Midlands and Warwickshire connecting at its southern end with the toll-free M6 just east of Junction 4 at Coleshill, Warwickshire. The M6 Tollway was built for $1.7 billion (£900 million) and opened in 2003. Exhibit 3.4 shows the high quality of the toll road design and construction on a section near Carnforth.

Exhibit 3.4 M6 Tollway near Carnforth

For each journey on the M6 Tollway drivers pass through one toll plaza, either on the M6 Toll (a barrier toll plaza for each direction at opposite ends of the highway) or upon exiting at a junction (exit toll). Tolls vary by classification of vehicle, time of day, and which toll station(s) passed on the journey and can be paid by cash, credit cards, or electronic toll collection (ETC) transponder.