A lorry driver has been banned from driving and ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work after he stopped on the M6 to have a cup of tea.

West Midlands police said the driver was dealt with for dangerous driving following the incident on the slip road of the northbound carriageway at junction seven near Great Barr.

Central Motorway Police Group

The Central Motorway Police Group (CMPG) said the unnamed male driver was also hit with a “substantial fine” following the incident.

The Highways Code makes it clear no one can stop on any carriageway, emergency area, hard shoulder or slip road unless it is an emergency.

The CPMG said on X, formerly Twitter: “Driver of this HGV thought it was acceptable to take his break and have a cup of tea on a live lane on-slip at J7 of the M6 North!

“Courts disqualified him from driving for 12 months, 200 hrs unpaid work and a substantial fine.”

Responding to a comment that the driver’s punishment was harsh, one X user said: “I used to use that junction regularly. It’s not in the slightest bit harsh as that is a dangerous place to stop due to vehicles accelerating off the roundabout at the top to get to motorway speeds.”

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