A £20 million investment is being made into upgrading technology on the M6toll.
The package of improvements has been announced to mark the toll’s 20th anniversary.
The upgrade will make it quicker to get through the toll lanes, easier to manage online accounts and cheaper for thousands of local road users.
Much of the upgrade is focussed on improving the driving experience, ensuring that traffic continues to flow through the toll lanes, even at peak times.
An enhanced Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system, new contactless readers that accept smartphone payments and behind-the-scenes improvements to customer account management will be used.
The M6toll operator has said the ANPR system will also enable more sophisticated pricing to be introduced during the year, particularly benefiting those people who don’t travel the whole length of the route.
Michael Whelan, General Manager of the M6toll, said: “Thank you to our customers, partners, and dedicated team members who have played pivotal roles in our journey over the past 20 years.
“As a commercial organisation, we receive no subsidy from the government, so all investment comes direct from the private sector, whilst toll income is used to maintain and operate the road to a world class level.”
It has not yet been revealed when the upgrades will be made.
M6toll is the only major toll road in Great Britain and runs from Junction 3a of the M6 to Junction 11a of the same motorway, near Cannock.
Since opening in 2003, the M6toll has helped to reduce congestion and pollution in South Staffordshire and the Midlands, attracting up to 65,000 vehicles from the M6 and regional road network on weekdays. Over 300 million customers have used the road over the past two decades.
In conjunction with the celebrations for its birthday and the investment, M6toll has also unveiled a refreshed brand identity, following its integration to the portfolio of transport infrastructure operator Aleatica.
Make a tag system suitable for motorcycle riders.