'Bonkers' toll proposed for six-mile stretch of M65

A suggestion has been made to introduce a toll on a stretch of the M65 motorway, in an attempt to trigger a discussion on how to pay for repairs and maintenance.

Reform UK county councillor Joel Tetlow said: "We need to look outside the box and do something a little bit different than just what we've always been doing."

Unusually, the six-mile section between junction 10 at Burnley and junction 14 at Colne is the responsibility of Lancashire County Council, while the rest of the M65 is maintained by National Highways.

Leader of the opposition, Independent Azhar Ali, called the idea "bonkers", adding: "I can't believe that Reform is suggesting a toll tax for the people of Burnley and Pendle."

The stretch of road suffers from frequent flooding, which often causes significant disruption to motorists, and it is estimated that the work needed to put the issues right will cost around £15m.

Tetlow, speaking at the environment, economic growth and transport scrutiny committee meeting, suggested a toll could help pay for the repairs, with motorists potentially paying between 50p and £1 to access the council-managed stretch of the M65.

But the idea was met with anger from Ali.

"We're not the M6. This is East Lancashire.

"So the people of Colne and the people of Burnley will be paying to get out of the area and to come back in?

"It's absolutely crazy."

Tetlow said he was not "advocating a toll" but trying to make the point "that if Lancashire has the tools to generate revenue from a strategic motorway, National Highways might prefer to take responsibility back, rather than leave local taxpayers exposed to the cost".

He added: "Ultimately, the result of the discussion is that National Highways, the government [and] local leaders pay more attention to why Lancashire taxpayers are being asked to fund £15m for this strategic motorway."

Liberal Democrat councillor David Whipp described the idea as an "interesting" means of highlighting the issue.

Whipp told the BBC a toll "would cause chaos on the surrounding road network", adding he was "utterly opposed" to such a measure.

"But if this ridiculous suggestion gets the issue up the agenda, it may result in action on safety work," he acknowledged.

Labour MP for Burnley, Oliver Ryan, also voiced his opposition to the proposed toll: "I understand the issues on the road, but this isn't the answer.

"People pay enough in road tax already, and LCC needs to sort this without asking people for more."

Lancashire County Council has been contacted for comment.

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