Monday 30 January 2012

M6 Toll prices set to go up again...

Just a day after I posted my view on the current state of the M6 Toll Road, it has been brought to my attention that the operator of the road, Midland Expressway Limited (MEL) is set to increase prices again, in March this year. 


Brian Mooney from the Association of British Drivers would appear to have the same common sense approach as myself and many other members of the public. Mooney stated "It's a totally mad situation, again. You've got the main M6 operating at twice the capacity, the M6 T - the toll road - is working at half the capacity. The operator is losing money and the drivers have to pay." 

It would appear that car drivers would have to pay £5.50 - a 20p rise, and lorries would be charged £11 - a 40p increase. Although, some weekend and night prices were being reduced.

I'm not going to rant on again as I fell that I expressed my point of view in my previous post although I do think it's totally crazy that prices are rising again and not being reduced to attract customers to fill the capacity. Maybe the operator doesn't want a high volume of traffic because of the wear and tear on the road surface and this pricing structure is working for them but not really working to reduce traffic volume on the M6.


Barry. 



M6 Toll Road - Reduction of charges?

I have recently taken the "long walk"... from Norton Canes through Brownhills West and eventually arrived in Brownhills High Street. Along my walk I couldn't help but stop and stare for 5 minutes whilst I was walking across the bridge spanning the M6 Toll Road (Previously known as the Birmingham Northern Relief Road or BNRR). 


I was aware of the lack of vehicles using the road from the odd occasion when I have coughed up the hefty price (In the variable region of £4 - £5) and ventured onto the smooth and almost brand spanking new tarmac. 


But... when I stood on the bridge and gazed at the open stretch of road, I just could not believe how unused the road was! I am pretty sure I could count on one hand the number of HGV's / lorries that I witnessed using the road. There were approximately 15 to 20 cars, 5 lorries and 2 coaches that went under the bridge in roughly 2 minutes. 


M6 Toll Road - North View  -  Small amount of vehicles using the road.


I believe that some common sense should be used and allow the road to be used for it's intended purpose... reduce congestion on the M6 motorway. For a long time now I believe that if the prices were reduced by at least half for all types of vehicles then surely the increase in the volume of traffic using the toll would allow to make up the lost revenue from charging higher prices. 


Am I the only person who is thinking this makes sense? 


I understand that the management of the toll road must surely have considered this thought and must have concluded that this pricing structure that is currently being implemented is the most profitable. 


But the fact remains that the M6 is currently heavily congested on a daily basis and the road that was designed & constructed specifically to provide a solution to this problem is virtually empty... during every day of its existence so far, compared to the M6.


M6 Toll Road - South View  -  Again... a small amount of vehicles using the road.
Finally... I would just like to make reference to the prices of the road, for car & van owners compared to the original price of £2 for cars and £5 for vans back in December 2003. These prices have more than doubled to £5.30 and £10.60 respectively... whereas the HGV Class 5's paid £10 in 2003 and still pay £10 in 2012 although with a 60 pence increase. (All these prices are peak time use i.e 06:00 to 23:00) 


I understand with inflation all prices rise during a number of years but surely with the current state of the world finances then it would make sense to reduce the cost to use the road and attract more business... thus possibly increasing profits? Maybe I am not in possession of all the facts and figures or in a position to comment professionally but the bottom line is common sense is the key to resolving all issues in life. 


Barry. 

Sunday 29 January 2012

BrownhillsBob and Oakparkrunner

Today, I have been had the pleasure of reading comments from the two most popular and respected bloggers (BrownhillsBob and Oakparkrunner) in the Brownhills area relating to my new blog.

I would just like to say a big thank you to Bob and Godfrey for making a new blogger feel officially welcomed into the online already busy Brownhills blogging community.

I hope to share many stories, experiences and information with you both in the future.

Barry.

Saturday 28 January 2012

South Staffordshire Railway Line



"Pelsall Old Railway Bridge" - This bridge used to carry the old Walsall to Lichfield South Staffordshire Railway Line.

I am planning on taking more photographs of local structures such as in the photo above. It is a great shame that these landmarks of history in the local area are falling away into time... without being captured on film for generations to look back on. 

If there is anybody who has old photographs of the same photo's that I post on here but in their former glory then please comment or contact me. I am very eager to build a collection of the past and present to preserve these structures in the online digital world.

Barry.

Friday 27 January 2012

Welcome.....

Hello and a big warm welcome to you.


I am Barry from Brownhills and my good friend who will be contributing to this blog is Clive from Clayhanger. 


This is my new blog for the people who live in or around the local area..... or for people from all over the world who want to know what on earth Brownhills is all about,  -   past, present and future!


I want to hear from you and welcome any contributions that you feel need to be expressed.


Barry.