Posted on Birmingham MAIL 10:09, 4 FEB 2016 UPDATED 10:12, 4 FEB 2016
BY NEIL ELKES

It will not only relieve traffic congestion, but could help city combat pollution says Lib Dem councillor

The comparison between the M6 Toll and the M6 The comparison between the M6 Toll and the M6

A city councillor has called for the M6 Toll road to be opened up for free to not only to ease the chronic traffic congestion, but help Brummies breathe more easily.

The call comes on the day the West Midlands road network was brought grinding to halt following a fatal crash on the M6 at Castle Bromwich. And there have already been calls for the tolls to be lifted to tackle gridlock.

Former city public protection chief Neil Eustace also says that freeing up the toll road will improve air quality and help Birmingham avoid a major fine in future.

The Liberal Democrat councillor has called on council officers to investigate the pollution caused by queueing traffic on the M6 motorway through Birmingham.

 Coun Eustace (Lib Dem, Stechford and Yardley North) said: “I have asked for officers to investigate the possible drop in pollution if we could move traffic from the M6 through Birmingham onto the M6 Toll Road.

“The Government has rightly criticised air quality in Birmingham but is ignoring the potential improvement removing tolls on this motorway would bring.

“This would also get traffic moving for West Midlands business. Our moribund MPs should be lobbying for this.”

His proposal comes at a time when council officials are looking into measures to cut the amount of diesel pollution from vehicles, particularly HGVs and buses.

The city also faces a huge tax bill and legal action if EU air quality targets are not met . There is also the cost to local health services of asthma and other illnesses aggravated by the pollution.

The city council has been told to establish a clear air zone by 2020 which will mean charges for heavy polluting lorries and coaches driving into the city centre.

A proposal to introduce congestion charging for all vehicles has however been unanimously rejected, but occasional car free days could be promoted.

Bus companies are being encouraged to move towards greener vehicles and plans are underway to ensure taxis and minicabs are more environmentally friendly in future.

Last year Birmingham Mail readers backed the lifting of the toll as part of our Birmingham election manifesto .

The newly formed West Midlands Combined Authority, the group of seven councils, asked for the M6 Toll to be freed up in its devolution deal and, although it has so far not been successful, says it will continue to lobby for it.