The Highways Agency has carried out a detailed review of the option of building a new Expressway to run broadly parallel with the M6 between junctions 11a and 19, as an alternative to widening the existing M6 by one lane in each direction.

The Expressway option would be more difficult to construct than initially believed and cannot be built more quickly than the widening, which the Highways Agency's work shows could be delivered by 2017. The Expressway would require 50 per cent more land than the widening option, would cost some £3.5billion (15 per cent more), and its construction would introduce significant disruption to the existing M6.

Transport Minister Stephen Ladyman said: "Having considered all the options, I am clear that the right way forward is for the Highways Agency to focus on delivering one extra lane in each direction on the M6. We have carried out detailed analysis and the extra works and land required and the costs involved do not support further work on the Expressway.

"I am clear that the widening would need to be accompanied by demand management measures to ensure that the benefits of the additional capacity are locked-in, and not lost through increased traffic levels. I have therefore asked the Highways Agency to press ahead with the preparation of detailed proposals.

"It is absolutely right that we investigate the options thoroughly when considering investment on this scale. The decision will be welcomed by many local residents and environmental campaigners who prefer the widening option."