Great Wyrley

Settlement in Staffordshire South Staffordshire

England

Great Wyrley

Approaching Norton Canes toll plaza on the M6 Toll The M6 Toll Road is a 27-mile private-sector expressway to the north of Birmingham. The M6 is the key artery through the West Midlands, but it suffers from chronic congestion as part of Britain’s longest and most important motorway. The Birmingham Northern Relief Road, as the M6 Toll was originally known, was built to siphon off the through traffic between the South-east and the North-West.

Site clearance started in 2000, construction of the road began in 2002 and it opened in December 2003 (<span class="nowrap"><a title="http://www.m6toll.co.uk/about-us/history/" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.m6toll.co.uk/about-us/history/">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> M6 Toll History). When planned, it was forecast that 72000 vehicles would use the link, but just half that number of motorists take the route today (2013 - <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/overpriced-and-underused-m6-toll-road-is-going-nowhere-fast-8606755.html" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/overpriced-and-underused-m6-toll-road-is-going-nowhere-fast-8606755.html">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> Overpriced and underused – The Independent) whilst in contrast, the M6 itself is still carrying in excess of 125,000 vehicles a day with many claiming that the toll route’s benefits do not warrant the charges (2013 rates: currently £5.50 for private cars and £11 for trucks, with modest discounts for weekend and overnight use - see <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/3665133">SP2685 : M6 Toll Tariff, Chapel Green</a>) and that when traffic is flowing reasonably freely on the original M6, there is no incentive to use the toll route which is marginally longer than the free motorway, with time also lost for stopping to pay at the toll booth.

The toll motorway is operated by Midland Expressway Ltd, which has the concession until 2054 – when the road is due to be handed back to the government. — Approaching Norton Canes toll plaza on the M6 Toll Credit: Christopher Hilton

Great Wyrley is a small village located in the district of South Staffordshire, within the county of Staffordshire in England. It is situated approximately 3 miles northwest of Cannock and 7 miles northeast of Wolverhampton.

With a population of around 6,000 residents, Great Wyrley is a close-knit community that offers a peaceful countryside setting. The village is known for its picturesque landscapes, surrounded by fields, woodlands, and farmlands, making it an ideal location for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.

Great Wyrley has a rich history that dates back to the Domesday Book in 1086, where it was recorded as 'Wyrleye.' Over the years, the village has evolved, and today it offers a mix of both modern and historic architecture. The All Saints Church, a Grade II listed building, stands as a prominent landmark, showcasing its medieval origins.

The village boasts a range of amenities, including a variety of local shops, pubs, and restaurants, providing residents with essential services and a sense of community. Great Wyrley also benefits from several schools, both primary and secondary, ensuring educational opportunities for the younger population.

Transportation is convenient, with easy access to the M6 motorway and nearby train stations. This allows residents to easily commute to larger towns and cities for work or leisure activities.

Overall, Great Wyrley is a charming village that offers a peaceful countryside lifestyle with a strong sense of community, making it an attractive place to live for those seeking a tranquil and picturesque setting.

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Great Wyrley Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 52.660883/-2.013038 or Grid Reference SJ9907. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Approaching Norton Canes toll plaza on the M6 Toll

The M6 Toll Road is a 27-mile private-sector expressway to the north of Birmingham. The M6 is the key artery through the West Midlands, but it suffers from chronic congestion as part of Britain’s longest and most important motorway. The Birmingham Northern Relief Road, as the M6 Toll was originally known, was built to siphon off the through traffic between the South-east and the North-West. Site clearance started in 2000, construction of the road began in 2002 and it opened in December 2003 (Link

M6 Toll History). When planned, it was forecast that 72000 vehicles would use the link, but just half that number of motorists take the route today (2013 - Link

Overpriced and underused – The Independent) whilst in contrast, the M6 itself is still carrying in excess of 125,000 vehicles a day with many claiming that the toll route’s benefits do not warrant the charges (2013 rates: currently £5.50 for private cars and £11 for trucks, with modest discounts for weekend and overnight use - see SP2685 : M6 Toll Tariff, Chapel Green) and that when traffic is flowing reasonably freely on the original M6, there is no incentive to use the toll route which is marginally longer than the free motorway, with time also lost for stopping to pay at the toll booth. The toll motorway is operated by Midland Expressway Ltd, which has the concession until 2054 – when the road is due to be handed back to the government.

Christopher Hilton

Approaching Norton Canes toll plaza on the M6 Toll

M6 Toll History). When planned, it was forecast that 72000 vehicles would use the link, but just half that number of motorists take the route today (2013 - Link

Christopher Hilton

Norton Canes toll barrier, M6 Toll

Christopher Hilton

Norton Canes, St James

Dave Kelly

Norton Canes toll station on the M6 North (Toll)

Steve Daniels

A5 Watling Street near Norton Green

Richard Law

M6 Toll Road from the overbridge

Looking towards the toll booths at the western end of the M6 (Toll Road)

Richard Law

St James' church at Norton Canes

St James is the parish church of Norton Canes, and was originally built in 1832 to replace an earlier church, then repaired in the late 1880s after a fire. The roof has recently been retiled. It was Grade II listed Link

& Link

in 1951; a full description of the architectural and interior features can be found at those links.

Richard Law

The Cannock Toll plaza

Seen here from the access road used by staff, and presumably on occasions by emergency services.

Richard Law

A5 Watling Street at the Washbrook Lane junction

Richard Law

Roadside house on Watling Street

One assumes the road has always been quite noisy & busy, judging by the lack of windows & doors on the side facing the A5.

Richard Law

OS benchmark - 268 Watling Street

An OS cutmark low on the roadside wall of the house by the side of the A5. It was originally levelled in 1963 at 134.082m above Ordnance Datum Newlyn.

Richard Law

Looking south on Gains Lane

Richard Law

Junction of Gains Lane with Gorsey Lane

Richard Law

3-way junction

4 named lanes in this photo; Jacob's Hall Lane on the left, Jones's Lane in the middle, and Hazel Lane to the right, all of which are heading off in their various directions from Gorsey Lane in the foreground.

Richard Law

On Dark Lane

A bridleway & track, which further south degrades into a footpath, and joins Jacob's Hall Lane with Fishley Lane near Pelsall Wood.

Richard Law

Dark Lane, looking south

A rather splendid piece of narrow bridleway along an old lane; it degrades further south into a footpath, and becomes waterlogged due to poor drainage - I reached the other end of the section referred to in SK0005 : Cadman's Lane, alternative route, and can confirm that it's a running stream. Take wellies, or a horse.

Richard Law