At a meeting last Friday afternoon (18th October 2002) with directors of the
M6 Toll Road due to open in January 2004, Michael Fabricant suggested –
among other things – that local car drivers should be given a major
discount for use of the road. Mr Fabricant told Tom Fanning (Managing
Director of Midland Expressway who will operate the motorway): "Local
people in Staffordshire and Warwickshire have had to put up with
considerable disruption caused by the construction of the motorway. One
good way of giving something back to the community would be to charge
residents living in the council districts through which the road passes,
this would include motorists living in Lichfield District, substantially
less for using the road than those making the through-journey on business
from the south of England to the north-west. Tom Fanning told Michael
Fabricant that the technology would eventually be available to do this and
that this is being actively considered. He would not, however, reveal the
likely toll charges of using the motorway. The pricing structure will be
announced around March 2003. Tom Fanning says "We want a pricing structure
that will be attractive to local residents as well as those on longer
journeys".

Other matters raised by Michael Fabricant at the meeting included (1) the
disruption of closed roads. Michael was told that Midland Expressway hope
that some closed roads will now open ahead of schedule before the toll road
is itself opened; (2) the need for a motorway link from the M6 Toll to the
M54 – at present the single carriageway A460 must be used. Michael will
be raising this issue in Parliament. "I think it important that for the
sake of 6 miles of road, mid Wales can enjoy the economic benefits of
better connections with the south of England; (3) the possibility of a
charity marathon or some other event to be staged on the motorway before it
is opened. Michael was told that while a marathon has had to be ruled out
because of operational difficulties, some other form of charity event is
still being actively considered; and (4) the status of the Lichfield and
Hatherton Canal where it twice crosses the motorway. The foundations are
already under construction and is on schedule for completion.

Michael Fabricant says "I recognise the disruption and environmental
impact of the construction caused by this motorway and steps are being taken
to minimise the environmental impact. Nevertheless, I believe the economic
benefits to Lichfield and Burntwood will be profound in the years to come.
More long-term jobs will be created, shopping facilities will be improved,
and home owners will find the value of their houses increasing
substantially. Less parochially, it will also stimulate the economy of not
only the west midlands but cities like Manchester and Liverpool too when
investors find they can access these cities from the south more easily.
However, I did impress on the management of Midland Expressway that locals
must not be deterred from using the motorway because of high tolls."