According to a new report by the Campaign for Better Transport, hopes that toll roads will bring congestion relief - along with financial relief - should be shelved. The report cites major financial losses and negligible improvements in congestion as its primary reasons for not placing too much import into the concept of private toll roads. The report revolves around the success - or lack thereof - of the M6, which opened seven years ago. In those seven years, the M6 has cost its investors significant sums of money and has alienated many area drivers. It is especially problematic given the dire economic times, when most people are loathe to part with any extra money.

Needless to say, most of today's drivers are getting payday loans to keep food on the table - not to pay for tolls on the M6. Those who do fork over the extra cash are generally disappointed, since the toll road's congestion problems are no better than most other roads. For investors, the M6 has been a major thorn in their sides; every year, investors lose approximately £25m on it. In other words, nobody is winning when it comes to the UK's only private motorway toll. The report has been designed to discourage the addition of any more of these toll roads in the future.

Despite the addition of the M6 - and the revenue that it has brought in - the Highways Agency plans on spending £500m on congestion relief. This is further evidence indicating that the M6, and other roads like it, simply isn't a viable solution. Nobody is making money off the road, drivers don't appreciate having to pay the £5 toll, and it isn't offering any sort of real congestion relief. All around, the report highlights the fact that the M6 has been anything but successful. In these rough economic times, it makes sense to hold on to every last pound. A toll road that doesn't even offer noticeable relief from traffic congestion simply isn't worth the extra money. Even in better economic times, toll roads appear to be losing propositions.