19 Aug 08
On the way back the passengers were even more comatose (not proving very tough, this stag test) so I made the decision for them to go down the M6 toll road. Empty as usual, but got a nasty surprise when the Caravelle hit the booth: £9 instead of £4.50. Because we're a van.
I ask about this, and the woman is slightly hazy on the rules but says it's about height and we're too high. I argue car versus vans a bit, and she offers to measure us. Apparently there's a measuring stick. As the queue builds up behind, I jump at it (great for the photos) and she calls through for it.
Turns out they can't find it, so she drops the price to the car level. Victory. Got to be worth trying. As I leave she hands me a leaflet explaining the rules and I discover the max height for cars is 1.3m above the first axle. No way we'd have qualified, but then neither would most people carriers. Even 4x4s would be touch and go if the max is just over 4ft. If they decided to enforce that rule, the road would be quieter than ever.
As were my passengers. Next time, they're getting a lift in a Mitsubishi Evo. That'd stop 'em falling asleep.
