Great Wyrley

Civil Parish 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 civil parish located in the county of Staffordshire, England. It is situated approximately 5 miles north of Walsall and 10 miles south of Cannock. The parish covers an area of around 6 square miles and has a population of approximately 11,000 people.

The village of Great Wyrley has a rich history, with evidence of settlement dating back to the Roman times. It was primarily an agricultural community until the 19th century when coal mining became an important industry in the area. The village experienced significant growth during this time, with the opening of several collieries.

Today, Great Wyrley is a primarily residential area with a mix of housing developments and older properties. The village has a range of amenities, including shops, pubs, and a post office. It is also home to several schools, making it an attractive area for families.

Great Wyrley is well-connected to other parts of Staffordshire and the West Midlands. The M6 motorway runs to the east of the parish, providing easy access to nearby towns and cities. There are also regular bus services that connect Great Wyrley to Walsall, Cannock, and other surrounding areas.

Overall, Great Wyrley offers a peaceful and picturesque setting, with a close-knit community and a range of amenities. It is a popular place to live for those looking for a balance between rural and urban living.

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Great Wyrley Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 52.656496/-2.015047 or Grid Reference SJ9906. 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 toll station on the M6 North (Toll)

Steve Daniels

M6 Toll Road from the overbridge

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

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

Field drain near Hobble End Farm

The drain joins the Wash Brook a little way to the NE of this point.

Richard Law

The M6 Toll

The M6 Toll immediately after leaving the Toll booths.

Peter Mackenzie

The Water Margin, A5

The Water Margin, Chinese Restaurant, on A5 between Cannock and Brownhills, which has been closed for several months, is built on the site of a former 16th century Inn, called the Fleur de Lys, which was destroyed by fire in the 1940's. UPDATE The Water Margin has also been destroyed by arson in August 2011

Mick Malpass