The way to use your Keyfuels card to pay at the M6toll has changed

Aug 19, 2025

£20 Million upgrades for the M6toll following its 20th anniversary

M6Toll by Claire Martin, Sales Manager at Fleetmaxx Solutions Northwich

In 2024, the M6toll marked its 20th anniversary – a major milestone for one of the UK’s most important road links. To celebrate, a £20 million investment programme was announced to deliver smarter, faster, and more convenient journeys across the Midlands.

At Fleetmaxx Solutions, we know how vital the M6toll is for hauliers, couriers, and commercial fleets that want to save time and avoid the worst of the congestion around Birmingham. These upgrades are designed to make the experience even smoother – and I’m pleased to say that our Keyfuels Fuel Card customers can continue to use their cards to pay for M6toll journeys, now with even more convenience built in.

 

What’s changed at the toll booths?

The investment focuses heavily on new technology that will speed up traffic flow and make payments easier. Among the changes already rolling out:

  • New payment terminals with faster processing and advanced features.

  • Contactless payment readers supporting smartphones and modern card payments, such as your Keyfuels fuel card.

  • Improved Keyfuels card functionality, meaning drivers can simply swipe their fuel card at the booth for quick and easy toll payments.

  • Enhanced Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems to keep vehicles moving seamlessly, even during peak times.

These upgrades have been installed across all toll lanes. For businesses using the M6toll daily, it means less waiting, less hassle, and more predictable journey times.

Keyfuels - M6 Toll

A proven benefit for the Midlands

Since opening in 2003, the M6toll has played a vital role in reducing congestion on the M6 and local road networks. Every day, up to 65,000 vehicles use the road, and over 300 million journeys have been made in its first two decades.

The road has built a reputation for reliable, free-flowing traffic, and these investments ensure that continues for the future. The improved ANPR system also allows for the introduction of more flexible pricing options, particularly helpful for occasional users.

Backed by innovation and sustainability

Michael Whelan, General Manager of the M6toll, has praised customers, partners, and the team behind the road for making its success possible. He also highlighted the self-sustaining model of the M6toll, which operates entirely through private investment without relying on taxpayer funding.

As part of its anniversary celebrations, the M6toll also revealed a refreshed brand identity, reflecting its integration into the Aleatica portfolio. Aleatica, supported by IFM Investors, is a global leader in smart, safe, and sustainable mobility, managing over 360 million vehicles a year across 1,100km of infrastructure in Europe and Latin America.

Keeping your business moving for less

Here at Fleetmaxx Solutions, our priority is helping your business stay on the move while saving money. With the Keyfuels Fuel Card, you don’t just access discounted diesel prices and nationwide coverage – you also gain the flexibility to use your card for services like the M6toll, secure parking, and truck washes.

If you’re not yet taking advantage of all the benefits of a Keyfuels card, now is the perfect time to apply.

Call our team on 01367 704 910 to start saving today.

M6Toll FAQS

Is the M6Toll ever closed?

The M6toll operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, all year round, ensuring consistent access for motorists and commercial fleets alike. The only circumstances under which the road would close are police-led incidents.

Why do we have to pay to use the M6Toll?

Unlike most other UK motorways, the M6toll is privately owned and operated. It was built and funded entirely by Midland Expressway Ltd (MEL) without any government subsidy, and will remain under their management until 2054.

Every toll payment collected is reinvested directly into the road. This covers ongoing maintenance, 24/7 customer support from a dedicated control room, and on-the-road patrols – all funded independently by MEL.

Where does the M6Toll start and finish?

The M6toll provides a 27-mile (43km) route linking junction 3a of the M6 in the south to junction 11a in the north, offering drivers a faster, more reliable alternative around the busy Birmingham area.

Why did my SATNAV take me on the M6Toll rather than local roads?

If you are using a satnav and haven’t opted to avoid toll roads, it is likely to send you on our road as it’s likely to be the quickest route to your destination.

I got on the M6Toll in error, what should I do?

Drivers approaching the M6toll will continue along the route until they reach a toll plaza, where payment is required. For those who need assistance, each plaza is equipped with a call-for-assistance button, connecting directly to a member of the support team who can provide guidance and directions for exiting the M6toll.

For safety reasons, motorists are strongly advised not to reverse out of a toll lane, as this poses risks to both themselves and other road users.

To ensure transparency, all approach road signage for the M6toll is designed in line with the Department for Transport’s signage policy and has been fully approved by National Highways. This helps guarantee that drivers are fully informed and able to make their own decision about whether to use the road.

Anyone wishing to raise concerns or complaints about the signage should direct them to National Highways, the authority responsible for its approval and oversight.

What do I do if I dropped my phone at the toll booth?

If you drop or lose an item within a toll lane or plaza, please continue your journey without attempting to retrieve it. The M6toll is a live motorway environment, and entering the lanes on foot could place your safety – and the safety of others – at serious risk.

For assistance, please contact Customer Services on 0330 660 0790 (available Monday to Friday, 08:30 – 17:00). A member of the team will provide guidance and support.

Are there services on the toll road?

Yes, the motorway services on the M6toll are accessible from both the northbound and southbound carriageways, located between junctions T6 and T7.

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