Vehicles on emergency calls phone ahead to get toll barriers raised

Ambulance service control rooms currently have to call ahead to alert the motorway of an approaching vehicle.

Midlands Expressway, the road's operators, said after the incident last Wednesday that the car was not "clearly liveried" and no warning was given.

A spokesman said the changes will benefit everyone.

Emergency cover

Staffordshire Ambulance service said the driver, wearing a paramedic uniform, was only allowed through the toll after turning on the car's blue lights.

He was driving the Vauxhall estate from Cannock to Lichfield to provide emergency cover, when he was stopped at the exit of the M6 Toll and the booth operator refused to raise the barrier.

The white emergency response vehicle was marked with green chequered stripes with a blue light bar on top and blue lights on the grill.

It was displaying a large "star of life" emblem on its bonnet and had the ambulance service's crown badge on the two front doors.

Mr Lee said all the above had been agreed with the operator of the M6 Toll, Midland Expressway Limited, as being sufficient for recognition as an ambulance vehicle.