Paramedic asked to pay motorway toll

A paramedic answering a 999 call in an emergency response car was delayed after he was asked to pay to leave Britain's only toll motorway.

Staffordshire Ambulance Service said the paramedic was in uniform at the exit of the M6 Toll when he got the urgent call.

The barrier was not raised even when he said a delay could risk lives. He was only allowed to pass after activating the car's blue flashing lights.

Ambulance service spokesman Bob Lee said the Vauxhall Astra estate was refused free use of the motorway as it did not have "ambulance" on its side.

The car was delayed at

9.20pm yesterday on the way from Cannock to Lichfield.

Mr Lee added: "When the paramedic arrived at the barrier, the operator refused to let him through unless he paid the toll.

"The car was clearly marked up with a green-and-white checked stripe down each side and the Star of Life on the bonnet. We are very concerned to make sure this farcical situation never happens again. In a life-saving situation, every second can make a difference."